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■WEAK ^^^OMAN 



AN AMERICAN 



COMEDY-DRAMA, 



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-BY 



HERBERT WILL. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1881, by WM. A. 
TAAPFE, in the oflHee of the Librarian of Congrees, 
j at Washington, D. C. 



WEAK MAN- 



-A-ITID 



WEAK WOMAN 



AN AMERICAN 

COMEDY-DRAMA, 

— m — 
-BY- 



HERBERT WILL. 

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.V 



DRAMATIS PERSON^:. 



ROBERT EHRTON. 
HUGH DARRELL. 
HENRY LANGTON. 
FRANCIS WHITEFORD. 
HERVEY TRAVERS. 
IKE HASKINS. 
JOSHUA DARRELL. 
BOLTER TR AVERS. 
JOHN FARBER. 
JULIA DARRELL. 
ALICE FARBER. 
MRS. DARRELL. 
ELIZABETH FARBER. 
BETTY. 
KATIE. 



ACT I. — Somerville. Drawin2;-room in country residence of Joshua 

Darrell, Esq. 
ACT IL— Farber Farm. 
ACT III.— Scene 1.— Grounds of Mr. Darrell's house. Scene 3. — 

Law office of Robert Ehrton. 
ACT IV.— Same as first. 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 



AOT I. 



Scene I.— Somerville, a suburban town. Drawing-room in the 
country residence of Joshua Darrell, Esq. Mr. Darrell reading 
a newspaper at centre table r. Hugh lolling on a sofa l. c. 
Julia at piano l. Mrs. Darrell reading a magazine r. C. Secre- 
tar)', with writing materials upon it, open b. c. 

Mrs. Dar. Julia, do you expect company to-night ? 

Julia. [Turning around on the piano stool.] Lots of it, Ma ! Mr. 
Langton is to be here. Mr. Whiteford, of course, accompanies him, 
as usual. Then Mr. Hervey Travers [laughing]— I can't think of 
that man without laughing — promised not to disappoint me. We are to 
make arrangements about going hay-making on Wednesday. I should 
not be surprised if Robert would be here also to see that I behave 
myself, but he might as well spare himself the trouble, for I shan't ; I 
hate to behave myself, and I don't propose to do it ! 

Mrs. Dar. Julia, I think you ought to show Mr. Ehrton more at- 
tention. He is 

Julia. [Crossing to her.] Oh ! now. Ma, don't ! Don't begin on that 
subject ! Dear Ma, forgive me ! but really you are a very foolish 
mother, on some subjects. Yes, you are, little mother! I know I 
am engaged to be married to Robert Ehrton ; there is no danger of 
my forgetting it whilst he is around. And I love Rob, too ! Certainly 
I do. Dear Rob! But do you suppose. Ma, that because I am en- 
gaged to be married, 1 am going to put my finger in my mouth— so !— 
and stand in a corner — so! And just because I am engaged I am not 
to have any more fun — not to see any more of my gentlemen friends ! 
If that's what you and Hugh there— that horrible rude brother of 
mine— call behaving myself, I say I won't behave myself one bit— not 
one bit ! 

Hugh. Ju, are you actually going to carry out that crazy idea of 
gointr to Farber Farm to spoil old Farber's hay ? 

Julia. [Crosses l.] Indeed I am! It will just be splendid fun, too ! 
Just to think. Pops, I am going to take a party of gentlemen to Far- 
ber Farm on a hay- making picnic, or they are going to take me, I 
don't know which ! I told Daisy all about it to-day, and she is per- 
fectly delighted at the idea. Moreover, she is to receive us at the 



4 WEAK MAN AND WEAJC WOM4N. 

farm, and show as all around, and I know Mr. Lan^ton and Mr. 
Whiteford — and, of course, Mr. Hervey Travers — will fall in love 
with her right then and there — the dear little soul ! Then the great, 
the incomparable, the only Ike Haskins, will show us all how to make 
hay. I think I can see him now, trying to teach us. [Laughing.] 
And only think, Pops, this idea of a hay-making excursion is born 
of my mighty intellect! ■» 

Mr. Dak. A very harmless and novel enjoyment, without doubt. 

Hugh. Who is this Daisy you spoke of, Ju ? Is it a flower — or— 
or — what ? 

Julia. Hugh, you never pay any attention to anything. I have 
told you about her hundreds of times. Daisy is the sweetest girl that 
ever lived — except, of course, your sister. We were at school to- 
gether all last year, and she was everybody's favorite there — but mine 
especially. All the girls loved Daisy Farber. I don't believe she ever 
had an enemy ; she was so loving, and amiable, and beautiful ! Some 
of the parvenu at first looked down upon her contemptuously, and 
said that " after all, Daisy Farber was only a farmer's daughter, and 
it was an outrage to be compelled to associate with her!" but, do you 
know, even they could not resist her fascinating little ways, and soon 
were as desperately in love with her as any of us ? 

Hugh. Old Farber does not belong to the 'bon ton, it is true, but he 
is an honest, hard-working, respectable man, and is reported to be 
in very comfortable circumstances. 

Julia. Of course he is — and he is a real nice man and loves Daisy 
to distraction. It seems so strange for him to have a daughter like her. 

Hugh. What time will you go, Ju ? 

Julia. Wednesday morning at ten o'clock sharp, as I propose to 
tell my retinue this evening. [Suddenly.] Bui* oh, Hugh I you are not 
going, are you ? Please don't. There won't be a bit of fun in it — for 
you. 

Hugh. Why, you were in ecstasies a moment ago over the very 
idea of it ! How very shrewd you are, Ju ! I will go if I can ar- 
range it. 

Julia. [Angrily.] Hugh Darrell, you are the most contemptible, 
rude, vulgar, idle — horrible — 

Dar. [Putting down the paper.] Julia, my child ! Control yourself ! 
You must not fly into a passion in this way ! 

Julia. I'm not in a passion, Pops! Indeed I am not. Why, Pops ! 
The idea of accusing your daughter of being in a passion ! The idea 
of Julia^ Darrell in a passion! [Laughs. Hugh echoes her laugh 
from the sofa.] Hugh Darrell, if you don't behave yourself, I'll go out 
of the room ; I won't live in the same house with you, you — no. Pops, 
I'm not a bit angry ! And now, dear Pops, I want you to retire to the 
library to read, [crosses to him] because, you know, the library is 
more comfortable and all your papers are there, and, besides, I expect 
my gentlemen visitors in a few moments. [Taking the paper from 
him and leading him off l. u. e.] 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 5 

Dar. I suppose you will put me, out of my own house next. 

[Exit L. u. E.] 

Julia. Not if you remain such a good old amiable Pops. 

Mrs. Dab. I must share his fortunes with him. I mast read for 
your father. Remember, Julia, [kissing her] if Mr. Ehrton comes, 
treat him considerately; your smiles belong to him now. 

[Exit L. u. E.l 

Julia. [Crossing to Hugh.] Hugfe, dear, won't you get up from the 
sofa? I did not mean what I said to you, Hugh [patting him on the 
cheek. Hugh takes out a cigar and lights it]. Why, Hugh Darrell, 
you awful wretch ! How dare you ? You do not mean to say you are 
going to smoke in this drawing-room.? 

Hugh. No; I don't mean to say it. ' 

Julia. Hugh ! [stamping her foot] Hugh ! [Throwing herself into 
a chair R. c. sobbing; finally looking around at him.] Well, then, 
smoke, smoke, smoke ! Go on ! Smoke ! Ugh! If you are not 
ashamed, I won't be ashamed for you. ' ■ 

Enter Betty, c, with cards. 

Julia. 8how the gentlemen in, Betty. [To Hugh.] I shall be ut- 
terly unconscious of your presence. A man that would treat his sis- 
ter as you are doing is capable ot anything. 

Enter Langton and Whiteford, c. 

Gentlemen, I must compliment you upon your punctuality. I sup- 
pose you don't deserve it, however. Business men fall into the habit 
of being so particular about keeping their appointments that they 
deserve no especial credit for it. Now, Mr. Langton, please don't 
put on such a lugubrious look. [Laughs.] It does not improve your 
appearance at all, ana it is all affected. 

Langton. Really, Miss Julia, you must allow me to contradict you 
for Mr. Whiteford and myself. We have been looking forward to this 
evening 

Julia. Oh! don't, please, Mr. Langton; spare your compliments 
and spare me, for I don't believe it. Now, don't be horrified! [Laughs.] 
Pray be seated, gentlemen, for I am afraid you will get weary if you 
remain standing any longer, [They seat themselves.] Now, tell me, 
how do you like Somerville by this time ? Do you not find it a pleas- 
ant refuge from the heat of the city every evening ? You answer me, 
Mr. Whiteford, for I see Mr. Langton is studymg some pretty little 
nothing to say. 

White. Somerville is a delightful place ; so convenient to the city ; 
the scenery around is so beautiful ; the society is so charming — espe- 
cially the society of — if you will permit me to say 

Julia. But I won't permit you, Mr. Whiteford 

Hugh. Ju, give the gentlemen a chance. 

Lang. Hugh ! You here ? I had no idea you were within a radius 



6 WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

of a mile! How are yon? [Langton and Whiteford cross to Hugh 
and shake hands.] 

Hugh. [Without changing his position.] This is your humble ser- 
vant, and no mistake. Ju tried to put me out of here, but I wouldn't 
go. I have as much right here as she has, you know. Why don't 
you put these gentlemen out, Ju ? [Laughing.] 

Julia. I am very sorry to say, gentlemen, that though my brother 
has arrived at man's estate ; that though he has bean surrounded by 
everything that might cultivate or refine ; that though he has had 
the society of a sister ; he is anything but a gentleman. I hope you 
will pardon him for my sake. 

Hugh. Don't do it, Harry! I don't want to be pardoned. 

Lang. Your brother is in a good humor this evening. Miss Julia ? 

Julia. And he is calculated to put everyone else out of humor ! 
But we will change the subject. [Crosses to the piano.] I have a 
good joke to tell you, gentlemen. The other evening, whilst executing 
some instrumental music for the delectation of some friends, I remem- 
ber that I made the casual remark that I was wanting in one of 
Chopin's compositions. It was only a remark — nothing more — and 
yet, this evening, I have three copies of the selection. What a singular 
coincidence ! Am I not plentifully supplied ? Mr. Langton, do you 
know anything about this one ? 

Lang. I am afraid I do. 

Julia. Mr. Whiteford, I presume I am indebted to your thoughtful- 
ness for this ? 

White. I cannot deny it. 

Julia. And this other, I have no doubt, is from Mr. Travers. Gen- 
tlemen, you are exceedingly kind. I wonder if I will live long enough 
to repay you ! * 

Lang. You can repay us now. May I not be bold enough to ask 
for some music ? 

Julia. [Drumming on the piano keys.] You can be bold enough 
if you wish, but your boldness will be unrewarded. Am I not amiable 
and obliging ? I do not feel particularly like playing, and I know 
neither of you would be cruel enough to ask it when I tell you that. 

White. Oh ! certainly not ! It would be an outrage ! 

Julia. [Laughing.] Thank you ! Mr. Whiteford, you are so very 
considerate. 

Enter Hervey, hastily, c. 

Her. Pardon me, Miss Julia, for my rather hasty entrance ; but 
the fact is, that nervous and excitable old gentleman — my father— is 
after me. My dear, good old father, as you may have heard, is suf- 
fering under the hallucination that something is going to happen me, 
and he hates to have me out of his sight. Consequently he is always on 
the '"qvii vive"— as the French say, but as I say, **key vivie "— for 
young Travers, and young Travers is on the key vivie for old Travers. 



WEAK MAN AND WEAJC WOMAN. 7 

I have no doubt he is looking for me now, and it he discovers that I 
am here, not even the sanctity of this drawing-room will preserve me. 
Julia. Mr. Travers. I am glad you have arrived safely, at all 
events, and I hope [laughing] our house will afford you protection 
from your singular father. I was beginning to despair of your pres- 
ence, and a pall of melancholy was settling upon us all, but now that 
you a7'e here everything has a brighter aspect. 

Enter Bolter, puflBng and blowing, c. 

Bolt. Wha-wha-whatI Where's my son .^ Ohl there he is! Beg 
pardon. Miss, for the intrusion, but I was forced to see my son im- 
mediately on important business — been hunting for him every where- 
just found out that he was here. Hervey ! [Crosses b. to Hervey.] 
Hervey ! You haven't proposed yet ? Wha-wha-what ? 

Her. [Sulkily.] No ; how could I ? 

Bolt. That's right, Hervey, my boy! That's right! Oh! how 
relieved I feel ! 

Her. Father, does it ever strike you — or even touch you — that, 
although the society of a pater to his filius is, for the most part— or at 
least now and then— quite desirable— supposing, of course, that he is 
an agreeable pater and willing to make his fihus happy at any cost- 
yet, that there are times, now auc! then, when the society of the pater 
is much more pleasant to his filius when the pater is about five miles 
distant— which would be— let me see— [looKing at his father's feet]— 
about Oh ! well, you can figure it out yourself. I say, pater ? 

Bolt. You impudent young puppy ! It is your own welfare I am 
looking after. Anything but ingratitude ! Ingratitude ! Ingratitude ! 

Her. You need a prompter, pater. Here's the way you should say 
it [assumes a tragic attitude] : 

"Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 

Quite vanquished him ; then burst his mighty heart; 

And in his"— ah, mantle— Oh ! yes— 
"And in his mantle muffling up his face, 

Even at the base of Pompey's statue. 

Which all the while ran blood, great"— Travers— "fell." 

Shakespeare ! I say, pater, that's the way we actors do it! 

Bolt. Silence ! You hear me ? 

Her. Well— ah— yes ; I think you have made a slight indentation 
in the tympanum of my right ear. 

Hugh. Ju, that old gentleman is going to punish his little boy for 
being naughty. Hadn't you better interfere ? 

Bolt. Hervey, you are my only child. You are flesh of my flesh- 
though not mind of my mind ; I have lavished my money upon you ; 
you have never known what it is to want for anything — 

ISbr. Except solitude, 



8 WEAK MAN ANi) WEAK WOMAN. 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what ! What was that ? — I have raised you and 
I am not going to let you now make an ass of yourself and an ass of 
me. Now sir, / am going to marry you — 

Her. What ! Marry me ? Oh ! bliss divine ! I accept. 

Bolt. Accept what ? 

Her. Accept your proposal of marriage, to be sure ! I have always 
noticed you had an attachment for me, pater — and now since you've 
popped, why 

Bolt. Shut up ! Why the boy's a fool ! I say 1 propose to marry 
you to the girl of my choice — not of your's. Mind that ! I propose to 
marry you to a fortune. You've gotten a fortune — or rather, will have 
one, when your poor father is dead — and fortune must marry fortune. 
That's business and common sense ! Now, how must I accomplish my 
object.^ Why, by running after you, chasing after you, tearing after 
you, and swearing after you, to see that you don't make a fool of your- 
self and promise to marry some other fool ! You cannot be five min- 
utes in the presence of a petticoated and sugarcoated human being 
without wanting to marry her ! I believe you would have asked that 
girl over there to marry you, if I had not arrived ; not that she would 
be so bad after all, for rumor says Darrell is wealthy, but we cannot 
rely on rumor. Besides, you can do better. My sou, if you go on in 
this way, you will bring my grey hairs in sorrow to the grave. 

Her. You are bringing your heir in sorrow to the grave. But I say, 
pater, you had better get out of here! You have no right here ! You 
have no invitation ! You have never even been presented to the lady 
of the house! 

Bolt. Hervey Travers, you are the most insolent man I know. If 
you were not my son, I'd— I'd— why, I'd knock you down ! 

Her. Well, then, there are some advantages, as well as disadvan- 
tages, to being your son. But I say, pater, you ought to know better 
than to run into a house in this manner, like an insane porpoise. 
This violent exercise may bring on a fit of apoplexy. Make your 
adieux, papa. 

Bolt. I won't ; I'll stay here, scoundrel ! 

Her. Scoundrel ! I say, pater, that is not loving — that is not pa- 
rental! So you won't go.? [Pauses.] I say, pater, do you kuow Mr. 
Darrell ? 

Bolt. I do, sir ; what of it ? 

Her. Oh ! nothing— nothing. I say, Miss Julia, pardon my inter- 
rupting your conversation— but is your father at home ? 

Julia. Papa is in the library, Mr. Travers. 

Her. Thank you ! Very fortunate, indeed— very fortunate ! My 
father. Miss Julia— this is my father— father. Miss Darrell,— would 
like 

Bolt. Hervey ! 

Her. All right, father ! Miss Julia says he is at home. My father 
is vei:y desirous of seeing Mr, Darrell for a few moments, and if he is 
not especially engaged 



WEAK MAN AND "WEAK WOMAN. 9 

JtriiiA. [Crosses to table and strikes bell. Enter Betty o.] Papa 
will be only too happy. [To Betty.] Show this gentleman into the 
library. [Exit Betty and Bolter, l. f. e.] 

Her. That was a delightful bit of strategy. Now for a few mo- 
ments of pleasure and — peace. Pater will naturally be angry, but it 
is his business to look out; or, in other words, mind his business. 
Pater on the key vivie — ditto, filius. 

Enter Ehrton c, Julia croese%tto him. 

Julia. I am so glad you have come! I hardly thought you would. 
How pale you look! [They come down, c] 

Ehr. I have been working a little hard — that is ail. I thought you 
would be alone to-night, Ju ? 

Julia. These gentlemen are Hugh's friends you know, and, of 
course, I must entertain them. I forgot, you have not met any of 
them before, have you Rob? Why, how — sour, you look! [Laughs.] 
You ought not to be so selfish of my company, Rob I 

Ehr. flow can I be anything else, Ju, when you are the dearest 
creature on earth to me! [To Hugh.] Good evening, Hugh! 
[Crosses to Hugh.] 

Julia. Rob, this is Mr. Langton — this is Mr. Whiteford and this is 
Mr. Travers ; gentlemen, Mr. Ehrton! [They exchange salutations.] 
Rob, I was just considering the feasibility of taking a walk on the 
grounds. Mr. Langton tells me the moon is up. Can't I have your 
permission and — company? [Ehrton offers her his arm.] Thank you, 
Rob, but really I have promised these gentlemen. [Takes the proffered 
arms of Lavigton and Whiteford.] But you will come, too, I know. 
[Exeunt Langton, Julia, Whiteford and Hervey c] 

Hugh. [Starting up.] Rob, I did not think my sister could be guilty 
of such rudeness to you! I shall fetch her back! [Going.] 

Ehr. Stop, Hugh! You have nothing to do with your sister's conduct! 

Hugh. [Returning.] Haven't 1? She has plenty to do with mine, 
and it is a poor rule that will not work both ways. [Resuming his po- 
sition on the sofa.] 

Ehr. [Aside.] Am I a man and can I brook this even from the 
woman I love? Yes, I am a man, and will act like one! [To Hugh.] 
Never mind, Hugh; this is my affair — not your's; we will talkot some- 
thing else. [Seating himself l. c] You are not going to the city to- 
night? 

Hugh. Oh ! yes I am; 1 have promised Langton to run down for a 
couple of hours or so ; I am to meet some of his triends at the "C. C." 

Ehr. At the " C. C " ? Where is that ? 

Hugh. (Laughing) What an innocent you are, Rob! Know, then, 
that the *' C. C." are the mystic letters of the Convivial Club. 

Ehr. Convivial Club ! Yes, I know what that means. Hugh, you 
are disgracing yourself. When are these dissipations to end ? How 
long do you think you can keep your habits from being known ? 



10 „ WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

That Langton, who is he ? To be frank with you, 1 do not like 

him. 

Hugh. That is because you have formed a prejudice ae:ainFt him. 
He is a first-rate fellow— junior partner of " Langton <fe Son " in the 
city, who do some sort of a large business or other. I have asked him 
out here several times, and he has been polite enoua;h to accept. Now, 
he is spending a few weeks in th3 town — runs into the city every day 
you know, like myself. Whiteford, his companion, does the same. 
He is employed in Langton's house, I believe, and is a very decent 
fellow. 

Ehk. Why don't you fall in love, Hugh ? 

Hugh. [Startled.] In love ? How you frightened me ! Don t do 
that again, Rob — my nerves are not strong enough. What a faculty 
you have of making relevant remarks ! 

Ehr. The remark was relevant enough, though you may not think 
so. [Earnestly.] It is the greatest blessing that could possibly hap- 
pen you. The love of a pure, noble, worthy girl, I firmly believe, 
would make of you a different man. [Hugh laughs.] Do not laugh 
— I mean it ! A man with a heart like yours would have to give itself 
wholly to the object of its love. Love — holy, sacred, mutual love — 
brings out all that is good — all that is noble, in a man's nature. I have 
as many fallings as most men, Hugh, yet I feel that if I were to do a 
dishonorable thing the vision of your sister would rise before me ! 

Hugh. Rob, you talk like a book ! You have not studied this, have 
you ? You ought to have chosen the pulpit — not the bar. It is 3'our 
forte. Love ! Well, now, to be serious, I have never seen any woman 
that I could love in the deliiifhtf ul way you speak of ; and, besides, 
love is not always productive of goodness ; sometimes, quite the reverse. 
More than once I have seen an angel of a woman make a devil of a 
man ! Yes, one of your pure, noble women ! I don't say it was their 
fault — at least, not always — but I have seen it, and more than once. 
A man tails in love with a beautiful and lovely woman ; she may not 
he kind enough to fail in love with him ; or, loving him, If you will, 
she may trifle with him out of the insatiable desire women have to 
worry men ; and I have seen that man — who before was stead}', good, 
and even virtuous— on account of that woman — who, in all proba- 
bility, is not worth bis little finger — plunge headlong into the most 
fearful excesses, and drag through the few remaining years of his life 
in hopeless misery! Whew! Your eloquence is contagious! Love 
will do for poets to rhyme over, but none for me — if you please. 1 
am too timid to take the risk. 

Ehr. And have you never seen a man reformed by the woman he 
loved ? 

Hugh. W-e-11 — sometimes, but not often. And here is another 
idea : a man that needs reforming may destroy the happiness of the 
woman who is to do the reforming. What right has he to try the 
experiment ? Np^ it is different witih you, Rob, Oh ! yes it is |— you 



WIsAfe MAN ANb WfeAK WOMAiSti^ 11 

iiiways were a noble feljow. Don't be so modest! Why, when we 
were at the university together you were always successful with your 
studies, always popular, and always as steady as a Philadelphia 
Quaker, whilst I was — well, I didn't amount to anything. We left 
there. You concentrated all your energies, launched your boat in 
legal seas, and are now the Nestor of the Somerville bar, besides 
bemg not unknown in the city ; whilst I — if I have made any move- 
ment, it has been in a retrograde direction. It is true I am. associated 
with my father, who is a wealthy man in a prosperous business, but 
even that is not of my doing. I'm afraid, Rob, our destinies are cut 
out for us, and it is useless for us to try to " rough hew them," as the 
poet says. 

Ehr. You take much too gloomy a view of life, Hugh. You have 
as bright a prospect as anyone. 

Enter Julia, Langton and Whiteford, c. 

Julia. Why did you not come with us, Rob? We missed you 
ever so much. But I suppose you prefer the society of my agreeable 
brother. We have had a delightful stroll. The moon is at the full, 
and when in that interesting condition and favored with such com- 
pany as I have had, the moments fly like seconds. Gentlemen, I 
hope my compliments will not go to your heads! 

Lang. We certainly have had a very pleasant walk, Miss Julia, 
thanks to your presence! I am only sorry that it cannot be prolonged, 
but Mr. Whiteford and myself will have to ask you to excuse us, as 
we have promised your brother to accompany him to the city this 
evening. Perhaps he will take the hint and release us from our en- 
gagement? 

White. What do you say, Hugh? Won't you accommodate us ? 

Hugh. Very pretty, indeed ! Noi at all flattering to me. No, 
sir, I will not! If you had as much of the society of my sister as I 
am blessed with, you might not find it so difficult to tear yourselves 
away. So come along, gentlemen! [Going.] Good night, Rob! 
Good night, Ju ! Be a good girl and learn to be more— amiable in 
the absence of strangers as well as when they are present. Tell father 
I return in the eleven train, fc] Hello ! Here he is himself ! 

Enter Darrell and Bolter, l, u. e. 

Dar. Where are you going, Hugh ? 

Hugh. To the city for a little while with these gentlemen. I return 
about eleven. [Exit c] 

Julia. [To Langton and Whiteford.] Do pot forget next Wednesday 
morning — Farber Farm ! 

Lang. You may depend upon me. Miss Julia. I shall order a hay- 
fork to-morrow if you think it necessary. 

White. And I will satiate myself with the readings of some Agri- 
cultural Reports. We bid you good evening! »?i 

[Exeunt Lang- and White, c] 



12 WEAK MAN A3Sf» WEAE WOMA.K. 

Enter Mrs. Darrell, l. c. b. 

Mrs. Dar. [Crosses to Dar.] I thought Hugh was to remain homrf 
this evening ? 

Dar. Our boy needs watching. I'm afraid his habits are becoming 
more unsteady every day. He always was a spoiled child ; it is our 
duty to see that he does not become a bad man. I fear we have been 
too indulgent, Margaret. [To Bolter, who is going.] You are not 
going so soon, Mr. Travers ? Allow me to present you to my wife. 

Bolt. Delighted to meet you. Madam, [bowing]. Yes. Darrell, I 
must look after that boy of mine. 

Julia. Why, Mr. Travers, is he such a child ? 

Bolt. Such a child! Well — no. But you see, my dear Miss 
Darrell, he is my only child ; he is the only remnant of rav family ; 
the only solace of a fond father. 

Julia. — But he has not gone yet, Mr. Travers ! 

Bolt. — Not gone yet ! Then where iV he, my dear young lady ? 
Ob ! where is he ? He did not say anything to you — that is, any- 
thing especially, did he ? 

Julia. Say anything especially? Bless me! how unnecessarily 
excited you are, Mr. Travers ! He is on the lawn smoking, I believe. 

Bolt. [Goes to C] Hervey ! Wha-wha-what ! Hervey! Wha-wha- 
what! Hervey! 

Her. [Outside.] Key vivie ! 

Bolt. [Angrily.] Wha-wha-what ! [Exit c] 

Julia. What an eccentric old gentleman, Pops ! [Laughs.] 

Dar. His eccentricity takes a good form anyhow — looking after 
the movements of his son. [To Mrs. Dar.] Margaret, will you read me 
that article in the * 'Herald" now ? 

Mrs. Dar. Certainly, dear, if you wish it. 

[Exit Mr. and Mrs. Dar. l. u. b.] 

Ehr. [Crossing to Julia.] Ju, what have 1 done that you should 
tre9,t me in the wav you did this evening ? 

Julia. [With affected surprise.] In what way ? 

Ehr. Do not affect ignorance— do not be frivolous ! I repeat it, 
what have I done that you should treat me as you did? 

Julia. And I repeat it— in ^hat way? You will pardon me too, 
Kob, if I inquire by what right do you interrogate me? 

Ehr. By the sacred right of the accepted love of a true man ! 

Julia. And you are the true man ? True— you are a man, aren't 
you, Kob? I had not observed it before. [Steprinir back and eyeing 
tim.] Just exactly like a man, too ; one might almost believe it was 
rean [Laughing.] Well, what was it you were saying, Rob ? I for- 
get just what it was. 

Ehr. [Seizing her hand.] Julia, you cannot evade me by this af- 
fectation. What I am saying is simple, and you understand it. I am 
not one of those namby-pamby fools that have been capering around 



WfiAK, MAN Aifl> WEA-K WOkAis^v tS , 

you this eveninj?. You cannot waive me aside by a gesture. I love 
you, and jou have given me this hand, as this ring will show [kissing 
it], and I ask you again what you meant by your conduct this evening? 
Julia. J-e-a-1-o-u-s, jealous! [Spelling it and counting it on her 
fingers.] A little word of seven letters ! Poor Rob ! 
Ehr. Will you answer me, Ju ? 

Julia. Will I answer yon ? Oh, certainly ! Let me see. — what do 
you wish me to say ? 

Ehr. I want to know if you think your conduct this evening has 
been consistenf with that of a woman who ha? solemnly promised a 
man to become his wife ? 

Julia. I think the conduct, of Miss Darrell this evening, as on every 
other evening, has been consistent with the pleasure of Miss Darrell, 
who is the only person to be considered in the matter. 
Ehr. You think so? 

Julia. Assuredly I do, Mr. Ehrton. It will be time enough when I 
shall be no longer Julia Darrell, for Mr. Ehrton to dictate his com- 
mands, enforce his wishes, and ventilate his jealousies, when— 
Ehr. Ju! 

Julia. Don't interrupt me. sir ! That is very improper conduct ! 
When he will have gotten a slave to his likes and dislikes, whose ami- 
ability and temper he will have found impossible to ruffle, by his manly 
conduct, may he begin his strictures, his lectures and his delightful 
exhibitions of temper; but until then, I ask that I be spared them — 
until then, I am free. 

Ehr. Free ? Free till then ? Did you say free, Ju ? [Pauses.] And 
after that, captivity ? Is that what 1 am to understand ? [Pauses.] If 
so — Miss Darrell, you need never be my captive ; keep your freedom ! 
Julia. You are very kind, sir ; more than I had a right to expect : 
I hope it will not go unrewarded. There is your ring! [Throwing it at 
his feet.] 

Ehr. I never was insulted by a lady before — I never will be again. 
[Picking up the ring and tossing it away from him.] I never believed 
you capable of this. Good evening — Miss Darrell ! [Exit c] 

Julia, [c] He is gone 1 Well, let him go ! He is gone ! Where } 
Away from me ! What then ? He is hateful ! No, he is not ! 1 
never loved him! You did! Rob! [Going up c] He is gone! 
You have driven him away, you proud, foolish girl ! You have driven 
away the only man you ever loved! Rob! I was wrong! Rob! 
come back ! You are true and noble, Rob ! I am weak, false and bad ! 
Rob ! Come back ! I iove you ! He is gone — gone forever ! [Drop- 
ping into a chair l. c. sobbing.] Gone ! [Suddenly.] I do not care it, 
he has gone! Julia Darrdl, you are a fool — weeping for a man who 
never loved you — who does not love you now ! Would he fly away in 
this way if he did ? Just because I was a little — rude ! It's a happy 
riddance! You do not mean what you say! I do! I am free now 
[forcing a laugh], free as the ocean bird ! By one daring stroke, Miss 



Julia Darrell, you have thrown off the shackles of that despotic 
tyrant! Mr. Robert Ehrton! Words — words — I cannot deceive 
myself ! I cannot deceive this foolish heart ! 

Enter Hervey, c, looking around. 

Her. Pater on the key vivie — ditto, filius. I wonder if Pater has 
scented me ! [Seeing Julia.] Miss Julia ! 1 did not know you were in 
the room. [Seating himself by her.] Why, you have been crying, or 
—or — laughing very hard ? You're laughing now ? I say, Miss Julia, 
will you — will you — marry — 

Enter Bolter hastily, c. 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what ! 

Her. [Not noticing him.] Will you marry — soon, Miss Julia? I 
am told your wedding is fixed at an early day. Hope you won't 
think me impertinent for asking ? 

Julia. 1 have no idea when I shall be married, Mr. Travers, if ever. 

Her. No idea? No idea when you will be married? But I 
thought — do I understand — that is — I say ? 

Bolt. Hervey ! Come with me ! [Taking his arm and rushing him 
offc] 

Julia. Another time I might laugh at them. Why cannot I do it 
DOW ? It is because my heart is sad— it is because my heart is sad — 
t is because my heart is breaking ! [Exit r. s. e.] 

PAUSE. 

Enter Betty, c. 

Betty. Everyone cone ? Well, I think it is time— half-past eleven 
o'clock! Mr. Hugh is not home yet. I hope there is nothing the 
matter with him. Isn't it awful, the way Mr. Hugh acts sometimes ? 
And he is so good and kind ! I'm awful afraid his father will find him 
out. I'd do anything for Mr. Hugh. I have fooled some people in 
this house before, and set their prying eyes in the wrong direction. 
Oh, Isn't it awful ! [Exit r. s. e.] 

Enter Hugh, intoxicated, Langton and Whitbford, c. 

Hugh. A-Ur-i-ghtl [Langton leads Hugh to a chair, r. c. Lang- 
ion and Whiteford come down the stage.] 

Lang. He is just in the right condition — shall we try ? 

White. Yes, let us try. He can never recollect anything now. 
But we mast make haste. Suppose any one should come! [Goes to 
the c, and returns.] If they do, we can say we found him in this con- 
dition, and brought him home. Can you work him ? 

Lang. I think I can. [Crosses to Hugh, Whiteford goes to c. en- 
trance.] Hugh, Frank and I must be going and you must retire. But 
before we go, I want you to sign that roll of membership. 

Hugh. Mem-er-ship? What's — mem-er-ship? 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 15 

Lang. Don't you recollect your propositiou to become enrolled 
among the members of tiie C. C? 

Hugh. [Brightening up.] C. C. ? Oh, yes— I see. You see -I see ? 
[Laughs discordantly.] A-11 r-i-ght! Where— is— it? 

Lang. [Takes check-book from his pocket and tears off a check.] 
Here it is, Hugh. Let us go to the secretary. [Leads him there. To 
Whiteford.] I can fill in the body of the check after we get the sig- 
nature. The signature is all we want. Is any one coming ? 

White, [c] No one, I think. The servants have not yet retired. 
They are below. Hurry ! 

Lang. [Taking a sheet of paper from the secretary.] I will place 
this over the top of the check so that he cannot possibly suspect. 
[To Hugh.] Here it is, Hugh ! [Fixing it on the secretary.] Sign 
here— "Joshua Darrell." 

Hugh. Joshua— Darrell .' A-11 r-i-ght! [Proceeds to sign and 
stops suddenly.] Joshua— Darrell ? Why, that— is— not— my— name ! 
That's— my— father's name ! 

White. Look out ! Langton I He is not as drunk as you think. 
Lang. [To Hugh.] Of course it's your father's name, Hugh. Ac- 
cording to the rules of the C. C. all members sign their fathers 
names. It is only a matter of form, you know. We all did it, didn't 
we, Frank ? 

White. [Laughing.] Oh! certainly, all of us. 

Hugh. A-U r-i-ght! If it's— she— custom -a-11 r-i-ght! Only, I 
never sign my father's name— except— in— business— but I sphose— 
shis— is business. Where— raus— I— sign ? 

Lang. Here. [Hugh signs.] Now we are all right ! [Taking the 
check!] You are one of us now, old boy! Frank, "Keno!" We 
ought to call a servant to attend to him; if found in this condition, it 
might reflect on us. [Laughins:.] However, I presume, he has been 
seen too often in this way to raise any suspicion that virtuous young 
men like us had tempted him. Good-night, Hugh ! Go to bed, old 
fellow ! See you in the morning! [Going.] 

White. Harry, you have forgotten to give me the check! 

Lang. Oh ! I'll give it to you, but let us get out of here first ! 

White. Harry Langton! What does this mean? Our agreement 
was, that I was to have the check— now?. Give it to me! 

Lang. Why, hang it! Frank! What difference does it make? 
Come on or we will miss the late train ! [Goine:.] 

White. Langton ! Stop ! Give me that check ! 

Hugh. Check ? Wha— you fellows— talkin'— about ? I thought— 
you — had — gone. Check ? 

Lang. [To Whiteford.] Fool ! See what you have done ! Come on. 

White. I will not until you give me that check! 

Lang. Then stay, idiot ! [^^^* ^-^ . 

White. Henry Langton, do you take me for a fool ? I might have 
known this ; X suspec^e^ h? w^s jipt i^cnn^ f «*irly- Qh ! I kSQW yo» 



16 WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

no\f , Henry Lansfton ! I know you, too, John Dobson ! I see yonr 
idea! I am to assist you to rob this man and set nothing for my 
pains ? I cannot do either of you any harm, of course ? I am a part- 
ner in the crime, am I ? My oath is no better than your's ? You feel 
perfectly secure, do you ? But if I could — [Pauses,] Yes, I'll do that ! 
A glorious idea ! I have it now ! I' may not be able to show you up 
to be the cunning villains that you are, but I believe I can call "check- 
mate" to this move ! [Looks around; takes a piece of paper from his 
pocket and writes upon it.] Where will I leave it ? [Sees secretary.] 
On the secretary ! He will see it there — ia the morning ! That will 
be time enough, if he acts upon it. [Places it on the secretary.] I 
must wake up Hugh! It will never do for him to sit here all night. 
fShakes him.] Hugh, you must go to bed immediately! Good niffht! 

[Exit c] 
Hugh. A-11 r-i-ght, Langton! Good — night! Seems — to — me 
that — is — the — second time — those — fellows — said — good — night. 
Can't — find — she — way — out — I sphose. Mus — go — myshelf — cause — 
I — said — would — retire — early. [Exit b. s.. e., unsteadily.] 

Enter Betty, c. 

Betty. I don't believe Mr. migh is coming home at all. Oh! 
isn't it awful ! Heavens ! [Picks up Hugh's hat.] Here is his hat. 
Well, how did he e:et in ? I must have been asleep. But David ought 
to have heard. Oh! isn't it awful! We might all be robbed and 
murdered and burned to death on account of that awful David ! 

Enter Darrell, l. u. b., in his dressing-gown. 

Dail. Bless my soul ! Is this you, Betty ? What are you doing up 
this hour of the night, hey ? 

Betty. [Attempting to hide the hat.] Why — I— that is — 

Dab. What's the matter with the girl ! Has Mr. Hugh returned ? 

Betty. Oh, yes indeed, long ago. 

Dar. He did, hey ? What on earth is the matter with you ? What 
is that you have there? [Taking the hat from her.] Hue:h's hat! 
Why. where is he ? 

Betty. He is in bed where you ought to be! [Exit c] 

Dar. A warm-hearted eirl, if she is a little impudent! I see how it 
is — that boy is ruining himself. How do I know what he does these 
nights in the city ! Evil-tongued rumor has reached me. Poor boy ! 
Poor father! Oh, you foolish, indulgent fathers, do you never think 
wben you are overlooking the faults of prattling children you are 
watering the roots of what may one day be a mighty tree ! [Sees 
note on secretary.] What's this ! A note addressed to me ! Why, 
how did it get here.' [Opens and reads.] ''Joshua Darrell, Esq., 
Dear Sir: Withdraw your deposit immediately from Altherson & 
Co. A Friend." Why, what does this meau ! [Going to g. ew 
trance.] Betty ! [Enter, Bbttt c] 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 17 

Dab. Who put this note ou that secretary ? 

Bbttt. I don't know sir ! Oh ! isn't it awful ! 

Dak. Then you ma^ retire. 

Betty. I wonder If any horrible burglar was in here ! Oh ! isn't 
it awful ! [Exit c] 

Dar. (c.) a friend .' That is very doubtful— very. I do not like 
these anonymous correspondents. I'll do it, thouah I It can do no 
harm, and it is always better to be on the safe side. [Crosses to secre- 
tary, sits and writes.] I wonder if that girl has retired yet ! [Crosses 
to c. entrance.] Betty I 

Enter Betty, c, petulantly. 

Dar. Where is David ? 

Betty. In bed, sir; so is every one else, sir, and that's where you 
tpld me to go, sir! 

Dar. Don't be saucy, girl ! Have him roused at once. Tell him to 
fetch this to the telegraph office and have it dispatched immediately. 
[Giving her dispatch.] Now doa't say anything, but do as I tell you. 

Betty. I— I— Oh ! isn't it awful ! [Exit c ] 

Dar. [Crosses l. c] Yes, there can certainly be no harm in doing it; 
it may be a friendly warning after all, but who from ? 

Enter Hugh, r. s. e., unsteadily. 

Hugh. Wonder— what — they — have— done — with— my— room ! 

Dar. What Hugh! What are you doing here ? Hugh! [Crosses 
R. c. and discovers his state.] Ugh I My God ! The man is drunk! 
Before my very eyes! Is that my son ? My son ! My only son ! In 
a condition like — that!, L had hints of this but I could not believe it! 
I clung to the doubts, oh ! so fondly ! I heard he was reckless — was 
wild— but that he could be capable of that— newer .' Hugh ! No ! I 
must not let him see me ! I could not bear to let him know that his 
father is looking at him ! Oh ! that 1 should live to see a day like 
this! [Suddenly indignant.] I'll put hira out of the house ! I'll cast 
him out! That is no son of mine! Mine is an honorable family, and 
they that are unworthy of it must be cast out ! [Going to him.] No— 
I cannot. He is my son— my flesh and blood— my promising lad— 
my curly-haired boy— my laughing baby ! I cannot be a stern parent 1 
I cannot pluck out this foolish love from ray heart, and- do my duty. 
It must be my fault— it must be my fault. [Falls into chair c] 

Enp of Act 1. 



18 WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

ACT II. 

Scene I.— Farber Farm.— Farm house, r. Fence running across 
stage, back, with practical hay behind. Rustic bridge, l. c. back. 
Quantity of hay, l. c. 

Enter Farber and ELizABEfH from house, b. 

Far. [c] Well, Liz, I'm off to work. What a glorious day! a glo- 
rious day I The very kind of a day to make John Farber feel 
young again ! Hey, Liz ? I'm a boy again, Liz ! 

Eliz. You have an old look, John, for a boy — an old head on 
young shoulders, perhaps. 

Fab. Ha! ha! ha! [Chucking her under the chin.] Joking vour 
little Johnny, are you? Well, yes— I'm not a bud — that's so! I'm 
a full blown flower, Liz ? Hey, Liz ? 

Eliz. Judging by that face, John, I should say you were a blush - 
rose. * 

Fab. Elizabeth ! [In feigned sternness.] Such language to me ! 
Remember who I am ! I am master here ! No undue levity with 
me, woman ! I am your better-half. Answer tne that — am I not 
your better-half ? 

Eliz. You are my — demi-john. 

Far. I'll surrender. Well, I must be off to get to work on our hay. 
Alice tells me some folks from Darrell's are coming over this morning 
on some sort of a x)ic-nic. Wonder where Ike is ! [Looking off l. C] 
Oh! thei^ he is in the barn getting the mower out. [Crossing l.] Ike! 
put Jim and Bill in that machine, will you! .I'll want Doll myself! 
[Cresses c] Good boy, that, Wifey ! Never had abetter. I've had 
Haskins most a year now, and he has never given me any trouble. 
Takes to farming like a duck to water ! I don't always have to be 
telling him what to do ; he knows what to do as well as I do. All the 
hands mind him, too. Mind him ? Why, they respect him ! Speak- 
ing of Ike, Liz, I want to knott' if you have noticed anything particu- 
lar about him lately ? 

Eliz. Anything particular about him ? No, I haven't. 

Far. No ? Well, after that, Liz, don't you ever boast of feminine 
sagacity — womanly instinct — and all that sort of thing ; they haven't 
got any ! 

Eliz. Who hasn't, John Farber ? 

Fab. You — she— her — and the whole female tribe! Why, here 
was I, half the time in the field, and yet I wasn't so dull that I couldn't 
see that Ike Haskins was in love with our Alice. 

Eliz. [Laughing] Oh! pshaw I Ike in love with Alice ? You poor, 
deluded old — young man, I mean ! 

Fab. You don't believe it then ? That's just like a woman ; doesn't 
believe it, because she didn't find it PB^ herself, Liz, do you remqiR^ 
b<»r the time I courted you ? 



WEAK MAN AND WEAk WoMAN. 19 

Eliz. Indeed I do. [With a mock sigh.] 

Far. That sigh is of course for me. Generous in you, Liz — very 
generous. I remember it very well — painfully so. I used to go over 
to your house after supper and work was done — and what a time I 
had getting ready — brushing my hair, fixing my collar and coat, and 
greasing my shoes ! Well, I'd go over, and there you'd be, sitting just 
as sweet and nice as you could make yourself — for you knew when I 
was coming — yes, you did, Liz! — and you'd be a-knittin' and a-knit- 
tin' and a-knittin' away for dear life ; — and your old man — beg your 
pardon Liz, I mean, your father — 'ud be sifctin' by the fireplace, smok- 
in'. Well, I'd sit down beside you, Liz, and keep quiet for a while, 
studym' for somthing to say — and you wouldn't help a fellow a bit 
— that's the way with you girls — young ^irls, I mean — of course ; pres- 
ently I'd get in a remark about the weather. That wouldn't last very 
long, for no matter how much you talk about the weather — its a sub- 
ject that won't last. By-me-by, I'd get brave and say something 
sweet to you, and you'd raise your eyes, kind of startled like, and then 
I'd turn round, like as if I was shot, and give that old man of your's — 
paternal parent I mean — such a blast about threshin' and sowin' and 
ploughin' and plan tin' that he wouldn't nod again for ten minutes. 
Oh! I was in a fearful way then, Liz! Now do you know, 1 think 
that's what's the matter with Ike ? 

Eliz. You may be right, John ; but Alice, kind and gentle as she is 
to him, will not encourage him in anything like love. Besides, he is 
not the man for our Alice. Remember, John, that Alice is — 

John. [Placing his hand over her mouth.] Hush ! 

Enter Ike, l., with a bridle. 

Fak. Everything ready, Ike ? 

Ike. Yes, sir; the hands are in the meadows, but gol darn that Jim 
horse, he's broken this bridle, and I'll have lo fix it, gol darn it ! [Goes 
up L.] ^ 

Far. Liz., blow your horn at noon and Farber Farm will take its 
dinner. Have something for the visitors, too, if they put in an ap- 
pearance. [Exit L. u. E.] 

i Enter Alice from house, r. 

Alice. What put it into Ju's head to come over in such a queer way ! 
It is just like her, though. Who can be coming with her ! [Sees Ike.] 
Ike! 

Ike. [Surprised.] Miss Alice ! Gol darn my skins! ef I knowed you 
was here ! 

Alice. [Crossing to him.] What did you say, Ike? 

Ike. I said I didn't BFhow you was here. 

Alice. But Ike, that is not all you said— you said— "gol darn !" 

Ike. Wall, ef I didn't, I'll be gol darn— 

Alice. [Stamping her foot.] Ike Haskins I How dare you ! Sueh 



an expression in tjie presence of a lady ! [tke looks penitent.] Ike, 1 
did not intend to offend you/ but you know liow often I have told you 
tijat you must be more attentive to your manners, for your own sake, 
as well as for — mine. 

Ike. Foryour'p? [Incredulously.] 

Alice. Certainly, Ike; I know you are a gentleman at heart, and I 
want you to be one in your appearance and manners. 

iKE. [Disappointed.] Oti ! I thought it was something like that. 
Miss Alice, I'd do anythin<< fur you, and you know it. Of course I'm 
rou^h and ain't fit to be here lookin'' at you, let alone talkin' to you. 
When you're near me, Miss Alice, I always feel kinder different like — 
feel as is if. Miss Alice — I'd — I'd — 

Alice. Is not this a lov^Jy day, Ike ? 

Ike. Lovely day ? Miss Alice— I — I — yes, of course, it's a purty day, 

Alice. See how bright and fresh all nature looks! 

Ike. [Lookinj< at her.] Yes, I — 1 — see. 

Alice. But you're not looking:. What are you waitinej here for, Ike 's 

Ike. Why, ain't — you — here? I mean, I have to mend this here har- 
ness. That Jim horse, 2:0] — [checked by Alice's finj^er.] 

Alice. I stopped that in time. Now, Ike, I have something; to tell 
you: Miss Julia Darrell, with some of her friends, are coming to the 
farm to-day, to help us with the hay. 

Ike. [Astonished.] Miss — Julia — Darrell — and — some — friends! 
Help us ? [Laughins: boisterously.] 

Alice. Ike, if I were you, I would not lauarh in that manner. There 
Is no music in it. Ton must cultivate a musical laugh. 

Ike. Wall, I reckon I won't cultivate no musical laugh, as you call 
it. I reckon I'll laugh the nat'ral way. 

Alice. The best way too! Be natural in everythine: except — your 
manners. Now, do not be offended at what I am going to say: I want 
you to appear at your best before our visitors, because, you know, I 
am very proud of you. 

« Ike. Miss Alice, you oughtn't to make fun of me that way. It ain't 
kind. 

Alice. Make fun of you ? No, indeed, I mean what I say. Why 
should I not be proud of you? Anyone might be proud of you, Ike ! 

Ike. Wall, I'll be "' 

Alice. A well-behaved young man. That is what you were gomg- 
to say. 

Ike. Yes, that's what I was goin' to say. What put it into the head 
of that— young lady — to do this ? I never heerd of the like. 

Alice. [Musingly.] Oh ! its one of Ju's freaks. Julia is nothing 
if she is not original. She delights in doing odd things, and actually 
snaps her fingers in the face of Mrs. Grundy. But I love her for all 
that. She is impetuous and proud, it is true ; but, under it all, there 
is her warm, lovmg disposition. 

Ike. Who are you a-talkin' to, Miss Alice ? I don't understand a 
word you're sayin" — you're awful smart. 



WfeAt M.Ai4 AKb Wt,AJC .WOMAK. : 2l V 

Alice. Don't be foolish, Ike! Wiieu 1 first went to boarding: 
school, Ike, she was the only friend I had there; the other girls 
[laughing] used to turn up their pretty noses and wonder wh3' the 
proud, the haughty, the queenly, Julia Darrell, toolv puch an interest , 
irx poor little me! 

Ike. They did ! Gol darn my skins ! dern if I wouldn't 

Alice. [Stopping her ears.] What horrible language! I'll be 
afraid to trust myself with you if you go on like this ! Why, here 
they come already ! Don't forget your manners. Ike. 

Enter Julia, Laxgton, Whitbford, Hervet, Hugh and Betty, 
over the bridge singly, l. c. Bolter timidly following. 

Julia. [Crossing to Alice.] My dear little field Daisy! [Kissing 
her.] You dear little soul 1 [Kissiwg her again.] I couldn't stay 
away another minute ! [Kissing her again.] So over I came, and 
here I am according to my promise! I've brought my troupe along. 
Don't be embarrassed, Daisy — I never am! These eentlemeu are ail 
perfectly harmless. It's you that are dangerous! Yes, you are 
Daisy! [Kissing her again.] Gentlemen, this is the dearest friend 1 
have in the world — except, of course, Mr. Langton, there — and Mr. 
Whiteford — and Mr. Travers. Now for formalities! [Introducing.] 
Mr. Langton — Miss Farber ! He is awful nice, Daisy. Are you not, 
Mr. Langton ? This is Mr. Whiteford — a sort of a modern Apollo. 
When he looks at you as he is looking now, he has no mercy. [To 
Whiteford.] Please do not look in that way, Mr. Whiteford. This 
is Mr. Ilervey Travers. Do Ioo'k at the lovely way he fixes his hair ! 
Why don't you blush, Mr. Travers.^ [Aside to Daisy.] He'll ask 
you to marry him inside of ten minutes — he can't help it ! [Aloud.] 
This is — [looking at Bolter] — why, who is this .' Oh ! yes, this is Mr. 
Bolter Travers, the father of the last-mentioned gentleman, Daisy ! 
He is here to look after the welfare of his son. [To Bolter.] How 
did you get here, Mr. Travers? Never mind, you are here, and we 
will have to put up with you—now you need not think I'm rude—for 
I'm not ! Well, that is all. Oh ! no. here is my brother Hugh. [To 
Hugh.] I did not ask you to come, and you had no right to do so. 

Hugh. Invited myself, and if Miss Farber has no objection 

Alice. I am sure; Mr. Darrell, you are very welcome, and so are 
you all, sentlemen. [To Ike who is slinking away.] Ike ! [Tele- 
graphing signals to him. He comes forward.] Julia — Mr. Haskins. 
Miss Darrell— Ike. [Aside to him.] Why don't you bow ? 

Ike. Wall I'll be gol— [Bowing awkwardly.] 

Alice. [Aside to him.] Takeoff yjur hat. Gentlemen— Mr. Has- 
kins. [Aside to him.] Bow again. 

Ike. Wall I'll be— ' [Bowing awkwardly.] 

Her. "What did you say the gentleman's name was, Miss ? I say ? 

Alice. Mr. Haskins. 

Her. I beg pardoh ? I say ? 



22 WEAK MAi? ANI) WEAK WOMAH. 

Ike. Ike Haskins, you dern fool I 

Alice. Ike! 

iKe. [Confused.] I jnean— that is — I— gol d^rn! No, I don't 
mean that — I mean mj- name is Ike — Ike Haskins. 

Heb. [Aside to others.] A fine specimen of the genus rural! I 
aay ? [They laugh.] 

Ike. [Aside to Alice.] Them loonatics are laughin' at me. If it 
wasn't for you, Alice, I'd bust that young "I say" over the head. 

Alice. [Aside to him.] For the lote of Heaven, Ike, don't behave 
so! 

Enter Fabbbk l. u. b. 

Fab. Good morning, Miss Darrell ! [Shaking hands with her.] So 
you thought you would come over and give me a little help ? Well, 
now, that is kind ! We need it, too ; may have rain in a day or two, 
and then where is John Farber's hay.'* "Make hay while the sun 
shines " is a good motto, even for farmers. 

Julia. Mr. Farber, you are ever so good. We wanted—at least 1 
did — to have a good time. The mornings are so stupid at home, and 
I suggested this way of spending one of them — and these gentlemen 
always obey me. I want fun ! 

Fab. Fun ? Well, there is plenty of fun in it ; we won't put you to 
very hard work at first. I must give you all a trial before I employ 
you. How do I know your labor is worth anything ? Those gentle- 
men's hands do not look as if they had handled a fork much. 

Julia. But we are very willing, Mr. Farber. Just show us the place 
where the hay grows! 

Ike. Hay grows! [Laughing loudly and checking himself upon a 
look from Alice.] 

CJFae. The meadow, you mean. I have several of them, but you don't 
v/ant a whole meadow? There is a strip [pointing back] running along 
there — what do you say to trying it? The grass is all cut, and you 
only have to turn it. Alice, show them the way. 

Julia. Oh! Mr. Farber, you are such a nice man! Com& along, 
Daisy! Come along, gentlemen! j 

[Exeunt Julia and Daisy, l. u. e.] 

Lang. [Aside to Whiteford.] I suppose we must be content to be 
made fools of, FranK, but it is all a means to an end. I gave Dobson 
the check yesterday, and he will have it presented to-day. What made 
you so confoundedly stubborn the night before last? 

White. I think the question is more applicable to you. I trusted 
you and you deceived me, and I believe you to be deceiving me this 
very moment. 

Lang. Frank Whiteford! you are a simpleton ! We are both in the 
same boat ! We sink or float together ! Don't you see that. I am tied 
to you in this matter ? Did you suppose I would have taken you in 
my confidence if 1 had not trusted you? But we must follow this 
crazy scirl. Hueh is all right. , 

[Exeunt Langford and Whiteford l, c.J 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 23 

Betty. [C-] What a nice farm this is, Mr. Haskins! 
Ike. [l.] Now, look yer, younsc woman, don't you go "misterin" 
me. My name is Ike — Ike Haskins — and it isn't such a gol darn hard 
name to j^it around that yoa have to go and stick "mister" in front of 
it ! I don't pull in no such harness, I tell you ! 

Betty. Don't you think this is a nice farm — Ike ? 
' Ike. [Aside.] This young woman don't know what she is talkin' 
about. [Aloud.] Certainly I do— don't you ? 

Betty. Indeed, I do, Ike, [crossing nearer to him]. You needn't 
call me Miss Betty unless— you want to. 

Ike. [Aside.] Gol darn my skins! if this don't skeer me! [Aloud.] ^ 
Wall, I haven't called you Miss Betty, have I ? I haven't called you 
anythmg that I knows on. ' 

Betty. >i-n-o, but you might if— you wanted to. You can call me 
— Betty — if — you want to. 

Ike. [Aside.] Wall. I'll be— [Aloud.] Look yer! Betty !— there is 
one thing I will say; I ain't on this place only fur ornament. I have 
got work far to do, and work fur to do now. 

Betty. But you don't have to work — all the time, do you, Ike ? I 
think it is so much nicer here than with the ladies and gentlemen; I 
don't like to be with a crowd; I only like to be with one or two, if 
they're nice and agreeable; sometimes, I only like — one — for company, 
don't you, Ike ? 

Ike. [Aside.] Now here's a city gal fur ye, Ike Haskins, and she 
could larn you suthin' ! That's the very way you ought to talk to 
Mis? Alice ! [Aloud.] Wall, now, see here, Betty, what do you want 
with me ennyhow ? 

Betty. W^hat do 1 want with you ? I only want to talk to you, and 
for you to talk — to me. 

Ike. Yes. I knowed that — but we've gone and done that already, 
and — 

Betty. We can talk some more — just a little. As I was saying, 
this is a nice farm— and Hike a larm— and I like farmers, too; at least, 
some of them. I would like to live on a farm too. Have you— got— - 
a farm 7 

Ike. Fur you to live on .' Wall, I haven't got one convenient just 
now. What do you know about a farm ennyhow ? Bet yer don't 
know a pumpkin from a turnip ! Say do you know I'm in— what 
they call love — already? 
Betty. [Delightedly.] Yes 1/ 

Ike. Yes — sir! My gal is over yonder in that crowd too, and, 
gol darn my skins ! if she don't get pesky mad if I stay away from 
her enny longer! [Exit l. u. e.] 

Betty, [c] In love already ! Why, there's nobody there except 
Miss Julia and Miss Alice! He ain't in love with Miss Julia! I 
should rather guess not. He ain't in love with— can it be the Daisy ? 
fLaughjln^.j Ob? no, it p^i^'t b^, Put it roust be! Daisy Farb^rl 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 24 

Well, who would have thought that countryman had such conceit in 
him ! Then he won't fall in love with me ? [Anjjrily.] Very well, 
Mr. Haskins — very well ! Who asked you to ? Who wanted you to ? 
There's them tnat will — plenty of them! and not country fools 
like you either ! There's James — our city milkman — and there's — 
there's — let me see— Oh! there's plenty of them ! Leavmg me here 
alone, too ! Isn't it awful ! That's country manners, for you ! But 
I won't be alone — I won't stay alone! [Exit l. u. e.] 

Enter Alice c. 
Alice. Where can Ike be? I believe he must have hidden himself. 

Enter Hervet c. 

Hek.- Pater on the key vivie ditto Alius ! Left pater describ- 

in<^ circles about a hay stack. He thought he would find me in the 
circumference if he went around often enouirh. [Seeing Alice.] By 
George ! here's the little farmer's daughter ! Miss Julia calls her the 
'•field daisy," and it is appropriate. She is a daisy, isn't she } Isn't she 
sweet ! Hervey Travers, tliere is the only girl in the world to make 
you happy ! 

Bolt. [Outside.] Hervey! Wha-wha-what ! 

Her. Pater! Hervey, better be on the key vivie! [Enter Ike 
L. u. E.] Daisy ! [Advancing.] I mean — Miss — Miss — what is her 
manie .' 

Alice. Mr. Travers ! 

Her. No, not Mr. Travers. Hervey — simply, Hervey ! I say 
Daisy — or Miss, whatever your name is — will you marry me.' 

Ike. [Crossing to them.] Will she marry ye 7 Well, I reckon 
not! Why you derned, blasted, redheaded monkey, gol darn my 
skins ! if I don't — [Alice catches Ike's arm. Enter Bolter l. u. k.] 

Her. "Rustics" on the key vivie, too! 

Bolt. [To Ike.] That's right, my fine fellow ! Give him a thrash- 
ing—he deserves it, he deserves it ! I know what he's been doing ! 
Thrash him ! Thrash him, I tell you ! 

Alice. Gentlemen, this is scandalous! I think you all forget that 
you are in the presence of a lady. [To Hervey.] I think your sin- 
cerity has gotten the better part of your discretion, and that discre- 
tion for Mr. Haskins, would be the better part of valor. Ike, I in- 
sist, that you apologize to Mr. Travers for your unpardonable con- 
duct! [Ike looks rebellious.] Ike ! I insist upon it ! •> 

Her. Never mind, Miss, I don't want any apology — quite too 
much trouble to accept. But, I say, you might make my pater— my 
father there — apologize ? Pater, I insist that you apologize to— 'Miaa 

x\licb. Farber. 

Her. Miss Farber and — myself. 

Alice, None is necessary, I think, Mr, Travers, but If there was, I 



WEAK MAN AND WIAK WOMAN. 25 

am inclined to believe the son, as well as the father, would be in- 
cluded. If you will permit me we will join the rest ; here they come 
now! 

[They all go up the stage except Ike. Julia, Langton, Whiteford, 
Hugh and Betty enter l. u. b. and cross over the stage back, with 
rakes and forks, pitching and throwing hay about: Alice, Hervey and 
Bolter join them c. Exeunt R. u. e.] 

Ike. [l.] Gol darn ! Clean gone crazy — every one on 'em ! 

[Exit R. u. B.] 
Enter Julia r. u. e., laughing and exhausted, crosses l. c. and sinks 
upon the hay followed by Alice. 

Julia. Daisy, I never enjoyed anything so much in my life! It's 
a perfect success ! Did you see Hervey Travers — or rather, the red- 
headed monkey, as he informed me Mr. Haskins termed him — when 
that hay fell upon him from the wasfon ? I can see him now, trying 
to get the hayseed out of his eyes and neck ! [Laughing.] It spoiled 
his beautiful hair, too! And his father — [laughing] — that foolish old 
man who insists upon accompanying us — what an ai^onizing counten- 
ance he exhibited when Harry Langton struck him in the ribs with 
the handle of the rake ! and Ike — Mr. Haskins I should say — looked 
so disgusted at the whole of us! I'm afraid, Daisy, we will spoil all 
your hay. 

Alice. Of course you %vill; it will all be utterly ruined. Ju, dear, 
it does me good to see you enjoy yourself so much. 

Julia. [Instantly altering her manner.] Enjoying myself! No, I 
am not enjoying myself. I cannot do it ! I do not believe I will ever 
be able to ! I am trying to enjoy myself — that is all ! I am endeav- 
oring to deceive myself, as I am deceiving you, as I am deceiving 
every one who sees me, bnt I cannot do it ! Enjoyment? It is a bit- 
ter word to me! [Starting to her feet.] But I must have excitement! 
I must not think ! It will kill me ! I want something to destroy my 
memory ! I must not be alone ! I am afraid of myself, for, oh! 
Daisy, I am raiserable—utterly miserable ! 

Alice. Miserable? 

Julia. Yes, miserable. Oh! Dai'^y darling, if I could be as happy 
as the light that plays in your sunny face ! If I could feel the peace 
that lies so tranquilly in your sweet eyes ! 

Alice. But I do not understand you, Ju! What terrible thine has 
happened ? 

Julia. Daisy, you are the personification of innocence, truth and 
simplicitv. You are always a spirit of consolation ^ you I have always 
confided in. Daisy, I will tell you my secret— but not now— we are 

interrupted I 

Enter Langton and Hugh r. u. b. 
Alice. [Aside.] Poor Ju ! To tnink that such sorrow could be con* 
cealed beneath such an exterior ! [Langton and J|ugh prosB to them, 
^ugb and Alice come dQwn.J 



26 WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

KuGH. Miss Farber, I have been having a rare time for one that 
has not even the right to be here. Ju was correct when she said, she 
had a novel and enjoyable programme laid out for to-day, though t 
was not given a part in it. 

Alice. If your sister failed to invite you to the farm, Mr. Darrell, 
consider yourself invited by me. 

Hugh. Thank you, Miss Farber! 

Alice. Miss Daisy, will do ; that is my cognomen to the outside 
world. I rather like it, too, and I think I can allow you to use it 
since you are Julia's brother, and she is the author of it. 

Hugh. You have no idea how I appreciate the favor, Miss Daisy. 
Ju has always been extravagant in your praises, and now since I 
have had an opportunity of judging for myself, I perceive that, not- 
withstanding her rather lively imagination, and her remarkable skill 
with the English adjective, she has not done this subject sufficient 
justice. 

Alice. Mr. Darrell, is that the way you- talk to all young ladies, or 
do you think, that I, bemg only a simple country girl, cannot distin- 
guish flattery from sincerity ? I am somewhat disappointed in you. 

Hugh." [Aside.] The girl has gotten more sense than the average 
of them! [Aloud.] Perhaps I ought to talk to you a little more in 
the way that I do to Ju. 

Alice. And may I ask, in what consists the peculiar fascination 
of your conversation with your sister ? 

Hugh. I'm afraid Ju does not consider it peculiarly fascinating. 
I do not flatter her, I assure you. I do not think it is right to flatter 
— sisters. You will be surprised when I tell you that Ju treats me 
jnst like a bear ! I knew you would not believe it. It seems so en- 
tirely different from her, doesn't it ? But she does-^just like a bear — 
a regular old Eocky Mountain grizzly bear ! Look at her now con- 
versing with Mr. Laogton ! She is as amiable and sweet as a dove, 
isn't she ? But you should see her — and hear her — when there is no 
one present but poor me ! Why, she has a temper like — 

Alice. Mr. Darrell, I cannot allow you to speak of your sister in 
such terms in my presence ! 

Hugh. But — 

Alice. No '"buts," if you please. No matter what your sister may 
b6 — is it brotherly — is it manly, to speak of her in such a way before 
a stranger? 

Hugh. [Aside.] Well, I rather like this. Evidently not afraid to 
show one his faults ! [Aloud.] You may be right. Miss Daisy, but 
you must admit she treated me very shabbily only a short time ago? * 

[Exeunt Julia and Laugton b. u. e.] 

Alice. And have you never been rude to her ? 

Hugh. Possibly, I have ; you know, it is not human nature to have 
one offend you, even if it is your sister, and not resent it ? 

Allies, Which in^ans, Mr, Darrell, that you are sometimes, Just tlj9 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 27 

least, culpable? I like you a great deal better for being so honest 
about it. [Going down c] We must not absent ourselves from the 
party. There is Julia beckoning for me! [Exit R, u. e.] 

Hugh, [c] There is a girl in a thousand for you! Not one In a 
thousand would have given me such a blowing up, on — such a short 
acquaintance ! Isn't she lovely, too ! Much prettier than Ju. Rob 
thinks Ju is perfection. What an eye-opener it is to be a brother and 
have a sister ? It is strange that Rob is not here ! Ju treated him shame- 
fully the night before last. But that girl ! Some of Rob's homily 
comes back to me. I tell you what it is, HughDarrell, you actually 

Kte that girl! Like her! Why, I believe you HughDarrell, you're 

a fool ! Hollo ! [Looking off r. c] Here she comes back for me ! 

[Exit R. u. E.] 

Enter Elizabeth from house and blows dinner-horn. 

Far. [Outside.] All right, Liz ! here we come ! 

[Exit Elizabeth into house.] 

Enter Farber, Alice, Julia, Langton, Whiteford, Hervey, 
Bolter, Betty and Ike, r. u. e.] 

Far. Miss Darrell, you can play the piano but you cannot make 
music like Liz can upon that old horn — beg pardon for saying it! 
What better music do I want, than to have the sound of that old horn 
coming out to me in the field with its glad call of ' Dinner ! Dinner ! 
Stop working! Come to dinner! Liz is ready for you!' To-day I 
heard the old horn shout — ' Fetch them all in ! Fetch in your visitors, 
and hurry up about it!' You have done farm work, ladies and gen- 
tlemen, and you will have to put up with farm fare. We haven't got 
any banquet for you, but a plain old farm dinner. You have worked 
hard and must be tired — Ike, what is the matter with you ? You have 
earned your bread by the sweat of your brows, so step in and have 
some of the bread — and butter — and whatever else Liz has for us. 

ifcnter Hugh hastily, r. u. e. 

Hugh. Ju ! Where is Ju ? 

Julia. Here I am Hugh! What is the matter ? 

Hugh. I want to see you by yourself for a moment. Mr. Farber, 
my sister and myself will accept your hospitality in a few minutes. 

Far. Very well, sir! But do not keep the young lady long; she has 
worked very hard. [They all enter the house except Julia and Hugh.] 

Hugh. Ju, what passed between vou and Rob after I left the other 
night ? 

JuiLA. Suppose I decline to say ? 

Hugh, Decline, if you will, but I can t^l you ; you quarreled with 
him and the quarrel was of your brewing. 

Julia. And the delightful quarrel you have designed for me this 
morning, is to be of your brewing? It is seldom that »sister is forced 



^ WEAfe Man AifD vitAt WoMAJt. 

to ask protection of strangers from a brother, bat I will make one oi 
the exceptions ! [Going towards the house.] 

Hugh. Stop ! You hear me ! Stop ! [Crossing to her.] Julia, I 
saw Robert Ehrton a moment ago ! 
Julia. Saw him ! Is he here ? 

Hugh. I tell you I saw him a moment ago ! My God ! may I never 
see him again, as I saw him' then ! Julia Darrell — my sister — when 
I saw Robert Ehrton, 1 saw — an intoxicated man ! 
Julia. What! 

Hugh. I say I saw an intoxicated man. Julia Darrell — my sister 
—you quarrelled with him the night before last ? Before then he was 
the noblest man I ever knew ; a man who would as soon cut off his 
right arm as do a disgraceful act ; a man that I looked upon as the 
embodiment of every manly virtue ! Julia Darrell — my sister — have 
you driven him to this ? 

Julia. I ! Have I driven him to it ? No ! Oh ! no ! A thousand 
times, No! You say you saw Robert Ehrton in that state ? Robert 
Ehrton ? My Robert ! Oh ! God ! this is terrible ! And it is true ? 
True! [Crosses l.] Am 1 guilty of it? Never! He is a tnaix! 
[Suddenly.] He is not a man! He is a poor weakling aft^ all! 
Why, I have cause to be glad — to be thankful! I am rejoiced! I 
have escaped him ! I have discovered before it was too late ! He was 
not worthy of me! Now, foolish, restless heart, cease to torment 
me ! He is not your ideal — he is not the man you loved ! Oh ! heart ! 
why do you argue with me ! Why do you dispute my power ! Have 
I driven him to it? [To Hugh.] No, Hugh Darrell, I have not driven 
him to it ! 

Hugh. And I'say that you have done so! Did I not see you that 
night insult hitn ? And for what! A whim! — a whim, that may be 
his destruction and your's ! What pleasure could you experience in 
flirting — it is a vulgar word, but I know of no other — with Harry 
Langton ? Do you think that there is nothing human in a man ? Do 
you think that lihere is no mighty fabric of colossal virtues, that may 
not come crashing to the ground if the foundation is weakened ? Robert 
Ehrton loved you ! He was worthy of your love, atid you, fool that 
you are, would accept the pearl that he offered you and then crush it 
beneath your feet ! 

Julia. I will hear no more ! You are cruel ! You are a scourge ! 
Because you are my brother affords you no authority to make this ti- 
rade! You have chosen to use Mr. Langton's name in connection 
with what you call — my flirtation, a term no brother would use to a 
sister. Mr. Langton is your friend ! You brought him to our house, 
and I met him upon your invitation ! He, at least, appears to be a 
gentleman. If Robert Ehrton loved me, he would have trusted me ! 
Where there is no confidence, there is no love ! [Goes up the stage.] 
Oh 1 Robert ! Robert ! You so mean — so despicable ! Is this your 
revenge ? Is this meant for my punishment ? It shall not be! Your's, 



WliAt kAiir Ai^i) WI;ak WoMajt: Jg9 

it may be, but Dot miue! You do not know Julia Darrell i I do not 
love you— I never loved you I [To Hugh.] I suppose I may now 
join the others ? [Enters house r.] 

Hugh. Proud, foolish girl ! But Hob !— I did not believe ray eyes 
when I saw him ! He looked so sad— such a picture of utter despair! 
I stood like one spell-bound, doubting ray very senses! When he 
asked me— Oh ! so sadly !— if Julia was here, I stood starinsj at him 
and made no answer. He did not look abashed nor ashamed, but 
defiant. Rob Ehrton ! Do you remember our conversation ? Only 
two nights ago ! Where was 1 that night ? Yes— I know ! But this 
man— this man who actually couDBeled and warned m*?, has thrown 
himself into the very abyss into which he, thought I was plunging! 
If I could save him! He is my brother; if I had one we could not 
love each other better. Youngsters together— boys together— college- 
mates together— men together ! Is there no help for him ! Julia 
Darrell, if you are the cause of this man's ruin— my brother's ruin— 
I will hate you ! 

Enter Alice, Langton, and Whitepord, from house r. 

Lang. Hugh, what is the matter with you .' Why don't you come 
in with the rest of us ? 

Alice. Mr. Darrell, as the person doing the honors cf Farber Farm, 
X certainly feel complimented at yonr absenting yourself for such a 
long time. 

Hugh. I beg your pardon, Miss Daisy, I was just about to enter. 

[Going.] 
Enter Darrell, l. s. b. 

Dah. Hugh, in God's name what does this mean ? [Showing him 
check. Darrell and Hugh come down c] 

Hugh. [Taking check and reading it slowly.] Tay— to— John— 
P. Dobson— or — order — Ten — Thousand— Dollars. Joshua Darrell.' 
Why, this is my handwriting ! 

Lang. [Aside to Whiteford.] The check ! 

[Exit Alice into house r.] 

Dar. Of course it is ! Who is John F. Dobson ? When did you 
draw it ? To whom did you give it ? What did you give it for ? Why 
did you not tell me ? 

Hugh. [Dumbfounded.] John F. Dobson ! I — don't know who 
John F. Dobson is! When— did— I— draw— it ? Whom- did— I— 
give— it— to? I— don't— know. 

Dar. Don't know ! Are you insane ? 

Hugh. I—don't — know. I don't recollect anything about it. 

Dar. Then 1 11 tell you : you drew it night before last ; you drew 
it when you were intoxicated ; you drew it at the dictation of some 
plotting villain ! ' 

Hugh. [Amazed.] No, father that cannot be. See, it is dated 
four days ago, and you know 1 was here all of that day ! 



^0 Weak MAif Aiirt) weak woman. 

Dab. Hugh, have you lost the use of your eves? Look at it 
again ! Don't you see that the only writing that is yours is the 
signature ? Now let me tell you something, and if you are not as 
cold and callous as a rock, let it— Oh! let it, my dear boy] — be a solemn 
and awful warning to you. That night you came home — drunk— do 
not be a fool, boy ! I saw you ! On that night I found a letter on 
my secretary from some unknown friend, as 1 have since discovered 
him to be. advising me to withdraw my deposit instantly from 
Altherson &■ Co. 

Lang. [To Whiteford,] You cowardly traitor ! 

Dar. I did so by telegraph that very night. Three hours ago this 
check was presented at their bank and the bearer arrested. I did not 
know whether my unknown friend intended to warn me of the 
suspension of the bank or of an attempt to rob me, but I suspected 
the latter, and went to the city myself this morning, and here is the 
check! 

Hugh. [Clasping his forehead.] flow could I have done it! [Turn- 
ing to Langton.] Harry, you have beard all ! I was with you all of 
the time, that night ? 

Lang. Not all the time, Hugh; you escaped from us for a while, 
though we found you afterwards. 

Hugh. Not all the time ? Where could I have been ! Where could 
1 have gone ! Whom could I have been with ! J^'ather — you have 
discovered my sin. Harry! Frank! you know all but — you are my 
friendis } Father ! — we will go home together. , 

[Exeunt Darrell and Hugh l. s. b.] 

Lang. [l. c] So, Mr. Francis Whiteford, this is your doing ? I 
am indebted to your thoughtfulness for this happy consummation of 
my plans ? 

White, [r. c] You have no one to thank but yourself. You 
would make me your catspaw, and you thought that I was fool enough 
to stand tamely by. and see you reap the fruit of my work — of my 
crime ! Ay ! sneer if you wish ! I said crime, for, villain as I am, 
1 am not the wretch that you are, and I shudder now when I 
think of what I did, attempting to rbb the very house whose hospitality 
1 was enjoying. 

Lang. Saint Francis ! It is all very well for yon to play the hypo- 
crite now — all very well for you to strike your breast with compunc- 
tion — but you cannot escape ray punishing you for your mean, sneak- 
ing, dastardly act, and I will have my revenge right here and now ! 

[Drawing a knife and rushing at him.] 

White. [Struggling with him.] Help ! Murder ! Help ! [Enter 
from house, Ike, Hervey, Bolter, Julia, Alice, Elizabeth and Farber. 
Hervey tries to separate them without effect. Ike succeeds and holds 
each at arm's length.] 

Ike. Gol darn my skins ! if this ain't purty doins !, [To Langton.] 
Oh ! no, Mr. Gentility, you stay — thar ! This is Mister Ike Haskins 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. SI 

that has trot hold on jou, and when he gets hold on a feller as he's 
got you now— that^ feller always stays— thar ! Gol darn my skins ! ef 
he ain't got a knife ! [Ike releases them.] 

Fak. John Farber is not the man to insult any one that is on his 
land or in his house, but when a man forgets the duty he owes to his 
host— when he forgets the laws of decency— when he would shed 
blood— then, I _say. Depart! Go off my land! for this is the abode 
of peace, and there shall be no murderous brawls on Farber Farm ! 
Go! 

Lang. Old man, you are too hasty, and I will overlook what you 
have said. Miss Julia, I know not what to say. I crave jour pardon 
for this disgraceful scene, and your's, Miss Farber; but I have a 
temper that is not always mine to command. I am but human, and 
when a man Avantonly insults a lady that I respect, 1 am not respon- 
sible for what I may do. This man [pointing to Whitefor^]— this 
wretch — insulted 3'ou in my presence ! 

White. You lie !— Ladies, forgive me!— but if that man says I 
offered an insult to any woman, he is guiltyof an infamous lie ! That 
man is the greatest scoundrel that God permits to live ! You see be- 
fore you a man that but a f«w short hours ago— [Aside]— Oh ! I can- 
not say it! My tongue is tied! But I will, I will ! [Aloud.] That 
very man who stands there— [Aside]— Where is my strength ? What 
matters your own safety .^ Out with it! [Aloud]— I-I-charge-him- 
with-with— [Falls in a faint.] 

Ike. Wall, I'll be gol derned ! 

END OF ACT II. 



ACT III. 

ONE YEAR LATER. 
Scene. — Flat, showing grounds in trout of Darrell's house, SoraervlUe. % 

Enter Julia and Mks. Dar. l. 

Mrs. Dab. Come, my child, a short stroU in the open air will do 
you good. 

Julia. Mother, dearest, I am afraid not.' 

Mrs. Dak. You must not.be so despondent, Julia, my love ! Last 
summer you liked nothing better than to be out on the grounds, and, 
in fact, all over the country, whilst this summer you do nothing but 
mope in the house during all these bright days. Are you unhappy, 
my child ? Confide in your mother, Julia— do you really love Mr. 
Langton ? 

Julia. [Laughing.] What a qn^stipn, mptbey j po fou suppose J 
would marry km if I did not? 



S2 WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

Mbs. Dar. Oh ! Julia, if we could hear that old-time laugh mora 
often ! You must not outgrow your childhood, darling. 

^ ' [Exeunt B.] 

Enter Hugh, l. 

Hugh, [c] What a blessine it is, after all, to have a sister like Ju ! 
1 fear I have been unkind to her sometimes ! I could go down on my 
knees before her this moment, and bathe her hands with tears of re- 
pentance — only I hardly think she would like it, and there would be 
some difficulty in producing the tears. I have been all this day en- 
deavoring to devise some excuse to get over to the farm and see the 
farmer's little daughter. I was there yesterday, and I will be sus- 
pected if I go too often. At the very moment I was giving it up, Ju 
unconsciously came to my rescue, and asked me to go and fetch Daisy 
here, on a matter of vital importance. Importance ? That's Ju's 
mild way of putting it ! Well, I guess it is important, if it is to cheer 
up poor Ju's spirits. Poor Ju! Poor Rob! He is just the same- 
just as hopeless as ever! What in the world does she want to marry 
Harry for ? [Gesticulating off b.] Oh ! Farber Farm ! how I envy 
you ! Your green grass is the carpet of her feet ! The daisies throw 
up their heads and laugh in the face of their namesake ! 

[Enter Alice and Ike, r.] 

Ike. [Seeing Hugh.] Wall. I'll be gol derned ! 

Hugh. The trees look down upon her fair head ! [Seeing them.J 
Miss Daisy ! Wh£re did you come from ? How de do, Ike ! 

Alice. ''From the trees that look down on her fair head." Whose 
fair head do they look down upon, Mr. Darrell ? 

auGH. Your's, Miss Daisy. 
' Alice. [Looking up.] So they do. [To Ike.] Ike, you may 
come for me in about three hours. 

Hugh, [To Ike.] You need not give yourself the trouble, Ike ; I 
will see Miss Daisy nome when it suits her pleasure. 

Ike. [Aside.] Wall, who in thunder said it way enny trouble ! I 
wish I could skeer him off like young "I say," but he's a better fel- 
ler than that dern fool. Ef anyone was to get Alice — except me — gol 
darn my skins ! ef I wouldn't as leef this feller would ! But I reckon 
I'm all right. [Exit b.] 

Hugh. I was just on my way to fetch you, Miss Daisy. Ju, ha« 
just given me her orders. 

Alice. I thought you were engaged with the trees and%ome one's 
fair head ? 

Hugh. I have been counting the minutes until I would see yon 
airain. 

Alice. And didd't you get tired ? 

Hugh. [Laughing.) You are very provoking. You take actual 
pleasure in destroying fentiment as soon as it begins to bud. Why 
are you always making fun of me? Whenever J (r^ |q speftfe q| 
my—wy— 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 33 

Alice. Your what, Mr. Darrell ? 

Hugh. My love, Daisy I [Aside.] This is rather premature, but 
I'm in for it now ! [Aloud.] Yes, Daisy darling, of my love ! I love 
you and you know it ! 1 loved you from the first moment I ever saw 
you ! I never knew what love was until I met you ! On that joyous 
morning ladt summer, at Farber Farm, v/hen first I saw your smiling, 
lovely face, I — 

Alice. Mr. Darreil, you forget that I am but a farmer's daughter. 

Hugh. Farmer's daughter ! You are no farmer's daughter— you 
are an angel ! It is no exaggeration at all ! It there are any angels 
on this earth, you are one of them ! 

Alice. Where are my wings ? , 

Hugh. Now don't be so horribly practical! Don'c be so tanta- 
lizing ! I say you are an angel, and I stick to it, and don't you coutra- 
dict me! Oh, Daisy darling— now don't stop me— there is not a par- 
tide of use of my trying to tell you how I love you, because it can't 
be done ! Daisy darling, don't you love me— a little ? Cannot this 
raging passion that is burning in my breast, kindle a spark in your's ? 
I won't ask you to say anything, my love ! but if you love me— even 
a little bit— do but drop that rose from your bosom ? [After a slight 
hesitation, she unfastens and drops it. He picks it up eagerly, presses 
it to his lips, and is goinir to embrace her, when she detains him.] 
You love me and will be my wife ? 

Alice. 1 — do — not — know. 

Hugh.. Do not know ! Then you are only jesting with me ? Yon 
do not love me ? 

Alice. I am not jesting with you— Hugh. The offer of a man's 
love is no subject for a jest, whatever else may be. Nor will I affect 
any mock modesty — I do love you — but I say again, I do not know 
whether I will be your wife. 

Hugh. A conundrum ! I give it up. 

Alice. Hugh, you have been manly enough to admit to me that 
your life has not been without reproach. It confirms rumor, and I 
cannot shut ray -ears to rumor, though I may not always heed it. 
Hu£:h, I know much abou!, you. I know that you have brought 
grief, and — forgive me for saying it— shame, into your family and 
into — my heart. 

Hugh. Your's? 

Alice, Yes, Hugh, into my heart, for I loved you when first I 
learned to know you — when first I saw your nobleness and generosity 
underneath your faults. And now to explain the conundrum : I am 
ffoing to do something that this ioolish little head of mine tells me 
will be better for us both. I am going to give you a trial, of — let 
me see— one month ! I ought to make it longer, but I can't. You 
will then report to me as to your conduct. I will listen to no one else 
— I will be influenced by nothing else— I will believe every word you 
tell me, for I trust you. Oh I Hugh, do try hard md be good, for 
5 



84 WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

whatever else I may do— I must always love you. If you report un- 
favorably, I am afraid I can do nothins: but— go on loving you. If 
you report favorably, why, then — 

Hugh. I can have 

Alice. Daisy Farber ! [They embrace.] 

Hugh. But a month! A month before I know whether Daisy 
Farber will be Daisy Darrell ? You forget there are thirty days in 
a month, Daisy ? And, besiaes, you do* not know what a different 
man I am already I Ever since— 

Alice. It's no use, Hugh, I must adhere to my resolution. A month 
is not very long, Hugh ? 

Hugh. Oh ! no, it will onl}- be about ten years to me. Well, Daisy 
darliue, I will do ii for your sake, but I must have a [kissing her] to 
seal the contract. 

Alice. It is the last you get for a month. I came to see Julia, and 
not you, so I must go. I am very happy, Hugh! No one must know 
anything for — a month. Remember ! [Kissing her hand to him.] 

[Exit L.] 

Hugh. [Executing a dance and whistling.] Oh! I'm not a bit 
happy — not a bit ! There she goes into the house ! I know of no 
reason why I should not go too ! You called yourself a fool, did you, 
Hugh Darrell? Well, you were a fool for doing it! [ExitL.] 

Enter Langton and Betty l, 

Lang. Tell Miss Darrell that she will find me on the lawn as soon 
as she is ready. 

Bettt. Yes, sir. [Aside.] Oh ! isn't he an awful hateful man. 

[Exit L.] 

Lang. Everything is working like a charm. I never had such a 
stream of luck before. I am almost afraid something will happen to 
spoil all. [Walks to and forward.] It's the way often. 1 retoember 
about a couple of months ago, I fought the tiger for five consecutive 
nights at Bartlett's and scooped in quite a handsome pile, and on the 
sixth night the ti2:er scooped me in — swallowed me whole. But luck 
will be the next card 1 turn up, every time. There was that check ! 
It was a d — d stupid piece of business, and 1 came near going under, 
but luck was at my elbow ! Whiteford hadn't starch enough in him 
to peach — though he came near it ; they believed what I said about 
him here, and he was invited to leave. Dobson's man was discharged 
because there was no evidence against him, and old Dob himself 
jumped the town nicely. Darrell kept his ten thousand, and here am 
I, respected, honored, and engaged to be married to his daughter! 
Yes, matrimony is my lay now, and everything looks lovely. Darrell 
will come down handsomely, I'm sure. He is rather of an enquiring 
turn of mind, however, and he expects me to satisfy him in a couple 
of days as to my bank account ; think I can manage it. I can depend 
on the girt, 1 know. She is a devilish fine one I She does not care a 



Weak man and weae womait. $5 

fetiap for me, nor do 1 for her, but she believes 1 love her, and I fill 
the role of a passionate lover capitally for one who has had no expe- 
rience. She is going to marry me out of pure spite for that drunken 
fool Ehrton. She is a fool herself for doing it, but that's her affair ; 
mine, is to marry her, and Harry Langton can attend to his business 
if anyone can. 

Emter Julia l. 

My angel ! [Goes to her.] I have been waiting so patiently for you I 

Julia. [Listlessly.] Have you ? 

Lang. Indeed I have! But, my darling, why is it that you are al- 
ways so sad when I am near you ? If we are with others, you are the 
the gayest of the gay, but let them be gone, if only for a moment, and 
you relapse into silence, and what is very much like melancholy ? 

Julia. Harry, is it not enough for you that I am your's ? Must I 
always be expected to be shouting in laughter? 

IjANG. No, my love, but you will allow it is not very complimentary 
to me to find you often so taciturn ? Before I was even a lover you 
were bright enough with me, and why should you not be so now ? I 
do not complain — I have no right to complain — as you say, you have 
given me yourself, and what more could I ask! [Aside,] I think 
that manifests quite an absorbing interest. 

Julia. Harry, our feelings are beyond our power — beyond our 
control. 

Lang. But you have given me your heart, my own, and surely love 
should gladden, not sadden ? I half believe it is the remembrance of 
other days that affects you ? [She starts.] I know, Julia, dear, that 
I am not the first love; I know — [taking her hand] — why, how cold 
your hand is ! — that there was another to whom that precious privi- 
lege wak accorded; — [Ehrton enters r. slowly and dejectedly, and ob- 
serving them, pauses, and exit l.] — but he did not value it; he 
did not appreciate it; he did not know how bright and warm was the 
sunshine in which he basked; his soul was too sordid and mean to link 
itself to your glorious spirit; he thought he could presume on your 
love— could wallow in the mire of a disgusting passion and that you 
would love him still — 

Julia. [Breaking from him.] Harry Langton, how dare you ! Is 
it for you who have usurped his place, to talk thus ? Is there no gen- 
erosity in your nature ? Remember that I once loved him, and re- 
spect me and my position, even if you cannot respect him ! [Suddenly 
altering her manner.] Forgive me, Harry !— I was always an impetu- 
ous girl ! I know you did not mean to offend me — I was too hasty 

Lan-g. Forgive you ! Why, my darling, I have nothing to forgive 
It is natural that you should feel like this. It is the fault of your 
noble cature. You think, perhaps, that you are, in a measure, re- 
sponsible for Robert Ehrton's present condition? That is childish,. 
Julia— utterly childish. You are too prone to accuse yourself. Rob- 
ert Ehrton is alone to blame. What he is now is the result of his own 



66 Wea]^ MAK.Aist w£ak VroMAJJ. 

voluntary actions, [Lookinyr off r, crossing r and looking: ofE agalD.j^ 
Julia, come here ! [She crosses to him.] Look ! That tottering man, 
walking along there, is Robert Ehrton ! Look at him well, and tell 
me if there can be a spark of love in you heart for that — creature ! 

Julia. [Looking eagerly off r.] Where? Oh, God! Where? I do 
not see him ! [Averting her glance.] I do not want to see him ! Do 
not show him to me ! Why do you want to show him to me ? Yen, 
there is a spark of love in my heart for him — there is a flame there— 
and you cannot extinguish it ! Oh ! do not make me despise you, 
Harry ! 

Lang. [Aside.] More stupidity on my part. [Aloud.] Julia, darling, 
I was wrong! I was imprudent! I should not have done this! 1 
meant for the best, my love ! I thought you were a man — not a poor, 
weak girl — a kind, loving, forgiving girl. We will talk no more about 
him. We will think no more about him. Let us take the walk you 
promised me, my sweet! [Putting his arm around her.] There, ray 
darling ! Forgive me ! I am a brute, and do not know how to treat 
a lamb like you ! I will get your things, my love. Remain here for 
a moment. [Aside.] What is that f<5ol prowling about ixeve for any- 
how ? [Exit L.] . 

Julia. The only feeling I have had for this man is indifference. 
1 have let him love me. with indifference ; I have borne his caresses, 
with indifference ; and I would have married him, with indifference ; 
for life is indifferent to me now ; but there is a stronger feeling growing 
within me — I am beginning to despise him ! Oh ! rebellious heart ! 
Why are you so stubborn ! [Enter Ehrton k. as before. Julia 
screams.] 

Ehr. [Speaking slowly and brokenly.] Julia, do not be fright- 
ened. I can harm no one now. [She shows aversion and offers to 
withdraw.] Do not be afraid — I shall not come near you. Tour 
aversion and contempt cannot wound me any longer. I shall never 
trouble you again. I only came to say — farewell! Farewell ! my — 
Julia ! [Julia swoons,] [Exit R.] 

Enter Lanqton l. with a shawl. 

Lang. What the devil is this ! I see here it is ! There goes the 
cause of it! My mind is soon made up I "Strike while the iron's 
hot ! " I have had enough trouble with you already ! I will settle 
with you now ! The girl will recover ! [Exit r.] 

Julia. [Regaining consciousness.] What has happened !. I have 
fainted! I am better now. [Arising.] I recollect now — where is 
he? Gone! He said — farewell? What does he mean? Fare- 
well! Where has he gone! What is he a-oins: to do ! Oh! Julia Dar- 
rell, are you the eause of that man's fall ! But he said — farewell ! 
[Looking off r.] Why, there he goes down the wood! Who is 
that near him ? A stranger, no doubt ! How slowly he walks ! His 
head is hanging on his breast! Is that the figure of my proud. 



WliAK MAK AND WJEAK V6mA». 3f 

hobif , Robert ! It is ^ getting dark ! I can hardlv see him any 
lonsrer ! But he said— farewell ! Great God ! what is he 5i:oing to do ! 
Something tells me— is it an inspiration from Heaven ! — to follow 
him ! I may never see him again and I — love him ! Where la 
Harry ? No matter, I will go without him ! [Exit b.] 

ScBNE.— Ehrton's Law Office. Door b. c. Open window l. c. through 
which the moonlight is shining. Table, covered with law- 
books, and chair b. c, bookcase l. c. 

Ehbton opens the door and stands at the threshold. 

Ehr. Here is my office that I have not entered for so long, and now 
I will never emerge from it alive. [Closes door, crosses irresolutely 
to table and throws himself into the chair.] The time has come and 
I am resolved. [Langton appears at the window l. c. and looks in.] 
Only a few more moments for me, and then— and then ?~I know not 
what l*** Yet I am determined upon it, and I shall doit! Weak, I 
know it is— damnable, I know it is— yet~l shall do it ! [Takes a 
revolver from his pocket.] 

Lang. [At the window.] I thought so ! 

Ehb. [Looking at the revolver.] Fatal instrument! you have 
brought much misery into this world, but may vou end mine ! You 
have brought crime, disgrace and sorrow into this world— but may 
end— mine ! You are the only friend I have now. and you must not 
fail me ! If you cannot give me back my peace of mind ; if you can- 
not give me back my good name ; if you cannot give me back her love 
and respect ; — you can,, at least— end all ! If you send me into a burn- 
ing hell, I take the responsibility upon myself— it is but the exchange 
of one hell for another ! In a moment I will be ready for you ! When 
I speak to you— when I press my finger upon this trigger— then act! 
[Looking around him.] This is the scene of many a bright day when 
my soul was filled with peace, and contentment, and love, for her. 
[Julia appears at the door l. c. with a scared white look.] Here*! work- 
ed—for her. Here I indulged many a day dream. [Wearily.] It seems 
so long ago since I was honored, and respected, and— loved. Now, 
people pity me, and I cannot stand that ! When a man learns to de- 
spise himself he has no right to live ! And so ends all ! Why was I 
ever born ! But delays are dangerous— I may relent— I may lose the 
courage to do it ! Farewell ! miserable world ! [Puts revolver to his 
forehead, Julia rushes in with a scream and seizes his arm. The re- 
volver falls out of his hand upon the table.] 

Julia. Robert! 

Ehb. [Dazedly.] What— are— you— doing— here .' '[Langton ap- 
pears at the door l. c. and half enters.] 

Julia. Oh ! Robert! What would you do ? Would vou kill your- 
self ? 

Ehr. And why not ? What would it matter to you ? 



38 WEAK MAN AND WEAR WOMAN. 

Julia. It would kill me ! Oh ! Rob ! Rob ! I have saved myself 
from bein^ your raurd£ress ! Kob ! I love you ! Can you forgive 
me ? [Embraces him.] 

Ehrton. What is this! You love me! Do not touch me — lam 
not worthy of you! You love me? Is this you, Julia, dearest, or is 
it a dream ? You love me ? Me ? [Starting to his feet.] Merciful 
God ! I am saved! lam saved! [Fallino: back into the chair with 
his head thrown upon the table, sobbins: violently, and holding one of 
Julia's hands, which he kisses passionately.] 

Lang. [Coming down c] I have seen and heard all. Julia, you will 
come with me. [Crosses to them.] 

Julia. I will never go with you ! I never wish to see your face 
again ! [Clingins: to Ehrton, who is standing.] 

Lang. Ehrton, release that girl ! She is my affianced wife ! 

Julia. I shall not leave him ! I am his affianced wife ! If you ob- 
tained from me a consent to become your wife, it was because you 
asked me when I was demented — when I knew not, and cared not, 
what I did ! Such a promise is not binding in law nor in conscience ! 
My whole heart is here ! 

Lang. And you would disgrace yourself and your family by mar- 
rying that miserable being ? [Ehrton advances upon him, then stops 
suddenly.] 

Ehr. It is true — I deserve it. 

Julia. Yes, I would and shall! It was I that made him this, and, 
by the help of God, it is I that will bring him back to the proud posi- 
tion he once held — my cherished ideal of a noble man ! 

Lang. Then, take him ! You are both well matched; one a sot, and 
the other — a fool ! [Ehrton knocks him down.] 

Ehr. Say what you will about me, but say nothing against her ! 
[Langton regains his feet and rushes for the revolver ou the table. 
Ehrton secures it first, walks to the window and throws it out.] I am 
safe now ! I would have killed myself with it ; in another moment j 
would have killed you with it ! At such a time as this, I can be gen- 
erous! [Clasping Julia. Tableau. Ehrton and Julia, r. c. Langton, c] 

END OF ACT III. 



ACT IV. 

Scene 1 — Same as in First Act. 

Enter Betty, c, ushering in Ike. 

Betty. Take a seat, Mr. Haskins — I mean, Ike. Do you want to 
see anyone? - 

Ike. [Lookint; around him.] Wall, I'll be gol derned ef thar ain't 
more fixins in this ere room than there is in a show ! [To Betty.] I 
don't want to see nobody, young woman. I only want to know ef 



WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. S^ 

Mr. Darrell is agoiu' to be here to-day ; cause ef he is, Father's comin' 
over fur to see him. 

Betty. [Aside.] Is he indeed 1 He is getting familiar ! [Aloud.] 
Yes, Ike, Mr. Darrell will be home to-day, for I heard him say so 
myself. I'll tell him — [Ike is jfoing] — but you ain't going already ? 

Ike. Ain't I ! Wall ef I ain't, I'll be gol derned ! You don't think 
it's me that's doin' the visitin', do ye ? I'd sooner be ploughin' over a 
y all er- jacket's nest than stayia' in this dern place ! 

Betty. [Offended.] Well, ^o, if you want to ! I suppose if you 
stay any longer, that "gal" of yours will get "pesky mad." [Laugh- 
ing provokingly.] 

Ike. [Angry.] Looky yer, Betty, ef you was a man I'd lick you 
fur sayin' that! 

Betty. [Sobbing.] You haven't got any rio^ht to talk to me that 
way. I don't know why you always treat me so mean, I — I — never 
did you any harm. Oh ! isn't it awful ! 

Ike. Wall, I'll be gol derned! [Crossing to, her.] What air ye 
cryin' fur, ennyhow ? I was a dern fool fur sayin' that — Betty ! I 
say I was a dern fool for sayin' that ! Wall, now, that ought to be 
enough fur ye! I said I was a dern fool I Do ye want a feller to say 
enuymore than that? [Going. Betty sobs harder and he returns.] 
[Aside.] What in thunder is the matter with the gal I This is what 
you get, Ike Haskins, fur goin' on another man's land ! [To Betty.] 
Betty ! Poor gal ! [Aside.] I guess she's got tenderer feelins than 
country gals ! Betty ! [Makes a show of putting bis arm around her 
and her sobbing diminishes. He grows timid and her sobbing becomes 
more violent.] Poor gal ! [He puts his arm around her.] Betty, I 
didn't mean nothin'. [She leans on his breast.] Poor gal ! Ye see, 
Betty. I thought you was chaffin' me about Alice.'* 

Betty. [Through her sobs.] I never chaff nobod}-, 

Iee. Don't ye ? Poor gal ! 

Betty. No, I don't! and I would'nt chaff you about her either"! 
She wasn't good enough for you. 

Ike. [Withdrawing his arm.] Don't ye say that, Betty! don't ye 
say that ! [She sobs harder than ever,] Thar I go agin ! Poor p-al ! 
[Putting his arm around her again.] 

Betty. Well, it she was, what did she go and make fun of you for, 
and refuse to marry you too ? I wouldn't have done that. 

Ike. Wouldn't ye.^ Poor gal ! Wall, ye see, Betty, she was too 
good for me. She's eddieated ye know, and perlite, and a lady, and 
I ain't that kind ; I ain't no gentleman. 

Betty. Yes, you are a gentleman ! I think you are as much of a 
gentleman as anybody. 

Ike. Do ye ? Poor gal ! [Aside.] Gol darn my skins ! if I don't 
keep ray arm here whether she cries or aotl [To her,] You're '^a 
purty gal, Betty. 

Bbttt, You're cbaflan' me now. 



40 WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

Ike. I'll be gol darned if I am ! Betty., do ye remember what ye 
said to me that day you were over onto the farm ? 

Bbtty. I said I liked a farm. 

Ike. Ye said more'n that ? 

Betty. I said I'd like to live on a farm. 

Ike. More'n that, tu ? 

Betty. I said I liked you, and so I do. 

Ike. Betty, would ye like to live on a farm now ? 

Betty. Y-e-s. 

Ike. Sposin' I'd git a farm, would ye like to live on it ? 

Betty. Y-e-s. 

Ike. Wall, gol darn my skins ! ef 1 don't ! [Kisssing her suddenly and 
awkwardly.] I ain't kissed no gal fur an awful long; time. Betty, I 
luv you I I didn't know it afore, but I've found it out now. Betty, 
give me another kiss! [She kisses him]. Betty, we'll git married and 
live onto a farm and be as happy as possums in a chicken-coop ! gol 
darn ! if we don't ! I got to git out a-yer now. Like as not sum of 
these society people '11 ketch me ! 

[Exit Ike c, Betty kisses him at the entrance.] 

Betty. Oh ! isn't it awful nice ! Now, I'm going to be married as 
well as everybody else ! Going to live on a farm, too ! We'll have 
horses, and cows, and mules, and dogs, and cats, and chickens, and 
ducks, and geese, and turkeys, and pigs — I forgot the pigs ! No more 
—"Betty, do this!" and -'Betty, do that!" No more— Oh! isn't it 
awful nice ! [Clapping her hands]* 

Enter Hervby, c. 

Her. [To Betty.] You need not announce me. I will sit down 
here and make myself comfortable until some one puts in an appear- 
ance. [Sits L. c] Anything for a refuge! I am playing '"I spy" 
with pater, and he is "it." [To Betty, who is going.] I say? Step 
here a moment, will you ? [Betty crosses to him. He leads her 
down.] [Aside.] She is not a bad looking girl. On the contrary. 
she is quite good looking. She is a servant, it is true, but after all, 
she is a female. [To her.] I say, what is your name ? 

Betty. Bett}', sir. 

Her. Bettysir ? Queer name ! Better be Betty ! I say, Bettysir, 
will you marry me .^ 

Betty. [Indignantly.] No, I won't ! [Flouncing oflE,] You awful, 
horrid, bad man ! I am going to tell Mr. Darrell on you this very minute! 

[Exit, c] 

Her. It's no use ! There is no use of trying ! I can't get married 
to save my life ! [Reflectively.] If I was only an orphan, now ! 
What a happy lot is that of an orphan ! [Suddenly.] I'll he an or- 
phan ! I'll bunt up pater, without a moment's delay, and makii an 
prphan of myself. 

[Going off c, encounters Bolter enteriug.] 



WEAK MAN" AND WEAK WOMAN. 41, 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what! Here you are, are you! Where are .vou 
going ? 

Hek. [Sadly.] Nowhere now. I wrt« after you. Pater, 1 want to 
be an orphan ? 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what! 

Hek. You've caught me, pater ! I'm '"it" now— you go and bide ! 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what! 

Her. [Throwing himself into a chair r. c] Oh, I'm tired of your 
everlasting "wha-wha-what!" Pater, the worm will turn ! I will be 
candid with you — I am heartily sick of you. If your pater — my^ 
lamented grandpaier — had gone on this way with you, you would never 
have been able to get married either — nay, more, you would not now 
have this filius to counsel and correct you. Now,! tell you here, pater, 
here in your pitch of pride — I ma going to get married, and I don't 
care whether you like it or not ! And I tell you further, I am going 
to get married now. and further still, that I am going to start out im- 
mediatelx, and scour this country for ?ome one to marry me, and the 
first M'oraau I meet — be she youuL'", or be she old— be she beautiful, or 
be she as ugly as you are — if she is uot married already anu will have 
me, I will marry that woman this very morning ! [Striking a menacing- 
attitude, j If j'ou attempt to interfere, pater, you do so at your peril ! 

[Exit melodraraaticall}' c] 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what ! Bless my soul ! [Exit c.J 

Enter Darrell and H^JGH, c. 

Dak. Hugh, my dear boy, I am glad to hear it! It is the best 
thing you huve ever done ! I suspected it alone: though ; you don't 
think your old father is blind, do j'ou ? I have watched you closely. 
The girl is worthy of you. 1 am delighted, Hugh ! [They sit at 
table L. c] 

Hugh. Then the fact that she is a farmer's daughter is uo objec- 
tion in your eyes to my marrying her ? 

Dar. Hugh, do you take your father to be an idiot ? There are 
some fools in this world, I grant you, that seek onlj' to marry their 
children to wealth, position and fame, but, thank Heaven ! I am no 
one of them ! The girl has done what I could not— what your , 
mother conld not — what none of us could not — make a good man of 
you, and she is welcome to have you, for her pains, if she wants you ! 

Hugh. [Laughing.] I did not think it would be difficult to obtain 
your consent father. But I have not gotten her's yet. 

Dar. [Surprised.] Then she won't have you after all ? 

Hugh. Yes, I think she will. To tell you the truth, father, I am 
quite under her thumb already. Now you would not believe what I 
am going to tell you. Before I could get her to promise me, this 
little girl actually made me submit to the following humiliating terms : 
I was first to be subjected to a long and irksome trial of thirty days, 
jjvjring which I wa? to approa9h fis near perfection as it is po^8il?|e 



42 -WEA-H MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

for human nature to attain ; then I was to constitute a committee of 
one to investigate myself ; this committee was to be adjourned sine 
die, and then I was to organize another committee of one, to report 
on myself ; this little girl was to take this report under consideration, 
and then she was to report to me as to her action thereupon. 1 am 
going to report to-day, or in other words, I am going to present her to 
you to-day as my future wife! [Darrell laughs very heartily.] 
This is no laughing matter father ? 

Dar. [Still laughing.] I know it's not — quite the reverse — but I 
cannot help it. How many times do you go round one of her dainty 
little fingers, Hugh? [Suddenly serious.] Hugh, my son, let the 
first person to congratulate you, be your father! [Extending his 
hand, which Hugh takes.] I do, from the bottom of my heart ! 
Kind Providence is reserving many blessings for me in my old age. 
My son is transformed from a thoughtless boy to a steady man. 
Julia, the dear child, has listened to a father's advice, and broken off 
her engagement with Mr. Langton. I never liked the man. There 
was something hidden about him. Julia has gone back to her old 
love and I am glad of it. Ehrton has reformed as suddenly as he 
fell, but he feel very deeply. His reconstructi in is nothing less than 
a miracle. Everyone believes him to be sincere, and I know it ! He 
is winning back his position and enviable reputation. I admii-e him. 
and he shall always have the grasp of my hand — I ahvays liked him ! 

Hugh. Like him! I love him; he is my brother! [Meditatively.] 
How strange it all seems, father ! There is some mystery about it. 
It is just two months ago to-day, that I asked Daisy to be my wife. 
On that very evening Harry disappeared and we have not heard from 
him since. Rob's reformation, I verily believe, began from that day, 
and we have had Ju's laughter ever since. There is something about 
it that neither Rob nor Ju has told any of us about. 

Dak. Nor should we ask them. It is sacred, whatever it is. The 
result is sufficient for us to know. They were both in fault, I have 
no doubt, and both have suffered for it. [Enter Betty c. with letters.] 
Mail arrived Betty ? [Taking them from her.] 

Bettt. Yes, sir ; and something else has arrived. 

Dab. Here is one for you Hugh ! [Giving him a letter.] Something 
else ? What do you mean ? 

Bettt. The two Mr. Travers, sir ! 

Hugh. She calls them something else. 

Dab. The Mr. Travers ! Where are they ? 

Betty. Oh ! they're gone, sir, and I am glad of it ! They are al- 
ways running in and out of here like dogs— the young one is the little 
dog running away with the big dog's bone. I was goinp- to order that 
young one out of the house myself ! 

Dar. The devil you were ! My good young woman it, strikes me 
you are taking a good deal upon yourself ? 

Betty. [Half sobbing.] He ins^lted me, sir— Ije ^sked me |;q 
Rjarry hml • 



Weak man and weak woman. 4S 

Hugh. [Laughing.] Insulted you ? By asking you to marry Wm? 
Well, I must say, that is complimentary to Hervey. 

Dar. Betty, you may leave us. 

Bbtty. [Aside.] I am going to get my Ike to pull every nasty red 
hair out of that young man's head ! If he doesn't, I will ! Oh ! isn't 
it awful! [Exitc] 

Hugh. [Opening his letter.] That is a very good joke on Hervey— 
very. Why, here is a letter from Frank Whitef ord, written from Col- 
orado! [Reads it and hands it to Darrell.] Father, you were right 
in your suspicions of Harry Langton— he is one of the greatest ras^ 
cals unhung ! Oh ! what a fool I was ! Read that ! In receiving 
Mr. Frank Whiteford and Mr. Harry Langton, we entertained two 
polite scoundrels ! 

Dar. [Reading.] 'Red Horse, Colorado, September 20th, 1875. 

Dear Hugh :— Only the twinges of a conscience I could never entirely 
smother prompt me to write you this. Have nothing further to do 
with Henry Langton. He is a greater villain than even I am. It was 
he that contrived to make you sign that check last summer, and I 
assisted him. It was I that wrote your father the anonymous warn- 
ing, but I penned it out of revenge, and not out of any consideration for 
him. I have come out here and begun life over again. I cannot ask 
you or your father to forgive me, but if this will be of any service to 
you, I will be ever thankful. Unworthily yours, 

'^ Francis Whiteford.' 

[Starting to his feet.] I will ha^^e a detective on that man Lang- 
ton's track this very day ! The miserable wretch ! No, I must not ! 
His arrest means shame and disgrace to us ! [Sinking back in the 
chair.] It Is hard to let him escape. It is my duty to have him over- 
hauled. 

Hugh. You forget, father, that we have no evidence against him, 
even if we succeeded in capturing him, except that of Whiteford, and 
that, of course, would be worthless ? 

Dar. That is true. I suppose we must let him alone. It is a pity 
though. No man ever yet betrayed the confidence of Joshua Darrell 
without being punished by him for it ! 

Enter Betty g. 
Betty. Mr. Farber of Farber Farm ! [Exit c] 

Enter Farber c. Hugh meets him, shakes hands and exit c. Dar- 
rell, goes up to meet him. 
Dar. Mr. Farber, I am glad to meet you ! [They shake hands.] 
Far. Thank yon , sir ! We have lived in different worlds, sir; we have 
traveledijn different roads, but we meet on the forks ! [Darrell leads 
him to a seat r. c] 1 have come to see you, sir, on a matter of bus- 
iness and duty — No ! you don't know what it is, though you may think 



44 ^!rEAK MAJf AifD WEAK WOMAN. 

you do ! Your sou is going to marry my — daughter. That much wej 
both know. Alice told me about it and I objected to it at first-— don't 
be offended, sir! I love my — Alice, better than I do my life, and I 
would not risk her happiness for all the gold that is buried in the 
earth this moment ! When she told me she loved your son, I objected 
to it, not because I did not like him, but because I "was afraid that he 
was not the man to make my Alice happy; because I heard — but you 
know what I mean, sir ? Forgive me if I pain you ! Family is noth- 
ing to me, sir. It is worth that I look to, and if your son was a prince 
and not a good man, he could not marry my Alice ! But, sir, I have 
discovered that he is now, at least, a man that might make any wo- 
man happy. What I am here to-day for, is to prove to you that if he 
is worthy of her, so she is worthy of him. 

Dar. I know that already, Mr. Farber. 

Fak. Farber, sir, — Farber, only. Of course you know it; no one 
could see that innocent face of her's without knowing it; but that is 
not what I mean. I am going to tell you something, sir — something 
that Liz — my wife, sir — and myself, have kept locked up in our bos- 
oms for many a-year, and strong old man as I am, it almost breaks 
my heart to say it — Alice is not my child ! 

Dak. Not your child ? 

Far. Not — my — child. She is not my child, but, Oh ! sir, you do 
not love that boy of your's more fondly than I do my Alice ! It is out 
now ! I can never unsay it ! I am childless now ! It is a simple 
story, sir, and you shall hear it. I had a sister once — a young, guile- 
less thing — you might look in the face of a hundred women, sir, and 
you wouM not see one half so sweet. My father — \iE lived on mv 
farm, sir — was pretty well-to-do in the world, and if there was any- 
thing that could be gotten for Alice — that was her name, sir, — she got 
it. One winter she went to the city for a short time — this very city 
that we are so near — and the next thing wp heard, sir, was that she 
had married some young English lord, and had sailed with him for 
England. We heard from her soon, sir, and she said she was happy, 
and asked us all to forgive her. That was all we knew about her 
until about a year afterwards — one beautiful evening — I remember it 
so well — Alice entered our house and threw herself on her father's 
neck. She had no mother then. Poor girl ! Her tale was a sad one. 
Her husband — Lord Northecot, I believe they called him, sir — was a 
young, wild, reckless fellow. He married my sister because he loved 
her, but his family was a proud one and they governed him. They 
made him send my poor broken-hearted sister back tons, or compel 
her to live in shame among strangers. Well, sir, it killed my father 
and it killed her too, but she left a little child to remember her by — a 
little sunbeam — and I can never look in that child's face without see- 
ing my poor sister. That child is m.y — Alice ! [Breaking down with 
emotion.] 

Dar. Farber, your story is a sad and wonderful one. Take the 
hand of a friend and brother — a man who Is not a stranger to sorrow ! 



WiiAK MAN AHd WEIAJC WbMAM. 45 

l*AR. Thank 3^ou. sir! [Taking his hand.] But you have not heard 
all; that beautiful child grew up with me on my farm; you are a 
father, sir; you know how a little life like that— as it grows and 
grows— as it sort of buds and blossoms like— to speak flowery, sir- 
becomes more and more part of a father's heart, until at last it is his 
whole heart, and to take that little life away, is to tear the heart out 
of him ! So was our Alice to Liz and me. So is Alice to Liz and 
me. We thought we would always have her with us to love and bless 
us with her sunny face, and if she gave away any of her love— and 
we couldn't blame her for that, sir- we thought, at least, she would 
stay with us and be near us. But it is not to be. Father in Heaven ! 
must I lose her now ! The rest, young Mr. Ehrton will tell you. He 
came with me. He knows all. He is here. I— I— cannot say any 
more. 

Dar. Robert: Is he here.' [Crosses to table and strikes bell. Enter 
Betty, c] Ask Mr. Ehrton to step in, Betty. [Exit Betty c.J 

Enter Ehrton, c. Darrell meets him. They come down. 

Dar. Robert, Mr. Farber has told me strange things. You have 
come here with him ? He says you are to finish it.' 

Ehr. And so Ilm. You are right, Mr. Darrell, it is a strange 
story. This old man came to see me yesterday, and brought with him 
a letter. The letter was from Jacob Johnson, Esq., of Johnson & 
Casilewaite, solicitors in London, England. The letter advised him 
to show it to his counsel and he brought it to me. I read it. Lord 
Northecot is dead. He died about a month ago, and Johnson pre- 
pared his will. Remorse, and possibly the remembrance of his young 
wife's face, haunted him. worked upon him, and when death drew nigh, 
all that was good in the man came to the surface. The will admits 
his marriage to this old man's sister. His whole estate he leives to 
his child. Lady Northecot, or as we know her — Daisy Farber, of 
Farber Farm I 

Dar. Truth is stranger than fiction, and justice must prevail ! 

Far. [Sadly.] Lady Northecot ! Lady Northecot ! And 1 am only 
plain old John Farber — a rough old farmer ! [Eagerly.] But I will 
not give her up ! They want to tear her away from me — from the 
onlj' father she ever knew — but tlaey cannot do it ! There are some 
ties stron2;er and more sacred in the sight of heaven, than even those 
of blood! That man, her father! Her unnatural father, yes, but 
not her natural one ! You cannot have her now. Lord Northecot— 
it is too late ! Why did you not claim her when you were alive ? 
Why did you not claim your wife .' Why did you not love, honor 
and cherish her, as you pledged yourself to do ? Why did you come 
like a thief in the night, and steal away my poor sister's heart, and 
when she gave it to you, thrust her away from your bosom, and crush 
her poor young life ? And now when she is dead, and when you are 
dead, you want her child ? Oh ! no ; the dead are not strong enough 



45 WEAfc: MAK AND WEAfc WO^AJi. 

to fight with the living ! She is my c4iild — not your's ! She nevet' 
called you ' father ! * I have nursed her ; I have lead and guided 
her; I have let her love j2,tow into this rugged old breast, until you 
caunot pluck it out ; and now am I to give her up to you because 
you have so written it in your miserable will ? All your estate ? You 
are too poor to buy her from me, if all England was your estate ! You 
cannot have her — she is mine ' 

Enter Alice, clinging to Elizabeth and Julia, c. followed by 
Hugh. Alice crosses to Farbbr and throws her arms about him. 

Alice. Father! 

Far. My child ! My child ! 

Alice. You are my father, my dear, good, kind father I Oh! they 
have told me such strange things ! It bewilders me ! They tell me I 
am no longer Daisy Farber — that I am a lady — that I am rich ! Oh! 
why did this ever happen ! 1 was so happy ! I do not want to be a 
lady ! I want to be Daisy still ! Oh! father, it can be as it always was? 
I am your Alice, and you are my father ! Say, father, it can be as it 
always was? • 

Far. God wills it, my darling ! It must be ! It shall be ! God ia 
stronger than man ! No one can take you from me now — you are 
my child ! 

Eliz. And mine ! [Alice and Ehzabeth embrace.] 

Dar. You are mine, also, Daisy. [Kissing her.] 

Hugh. And my wife ! [Alice crosses to Hugh.] 

Dar. I have two daughters now, and [placing Julia's hand in Ehr- 
ton's] — two sons. [Strikes bell.] Margaret, we must not be out of 
fashion; take your place by your husband's side. [Mrs. Darrell 
crosses to Darrell. . He strikes bell again.] 

Enter Betty c. 

Why did you keep me waiting, Betty ? 

Betty. Because I was engaged. 

Dar. Engaged! 

Betty. Yes, sir, engaged ! Engaged to be married ! 

All. What ! 

Betty. Engaged to be married ! I said it plain enough ! What 
are you all surprised about ? Do you people think you are the only 
persons in this world that have a right to be happy, and a right to 
get married ? [To Darrell.] Mr. Darrell, I'm sorry, but I can't an- 
swer the bell any more. I'll have to give you warning, because I 
am going to farm. 

All. Going to farm ! 

Betty. [Emphatically.] I said—going to farm, didn't 1 ? I be- 
lieve you are all deaf ! * 

Dar. Do I understand that you are going to be a farmer, Betty ? 

Betty. No, sir, but I'm going to be a farmer's wife and that's just 



WEAK MAN AND WSAK WOMAK. 47 

the bame thinij: ! [Exit c. Betty heard outside— "Come in, can't 
you? Ike? Please! There's nobody there!"] 

Enter Betty c. leading in Ike, who looks much abashed and reluctant. 

Betty. [To Darrell.] This is the farf-mer, sir ! 
Hugh. And so Ike has inpulted you, Betty ? 

Betty. Insulted me! No he hasn't, and what's more, he won't let 
anyone else insult me ! Will you, Ike ? 
Ike. I'll be gol derned if I do ! 

■ Enter Hervby c. with Katie. 

Her. Hello ! What's all this ! I say, you all look very happy ? 

"Lovers to the right of them, 

Lovers to the left of them, 

Lovers in front of them" — Shakespeare — No ! I 
don't believe that is Shakespeare. I say, I must have been attracted 
here by some sort a sympathetic and irresistible magnetism ? Any 
marriages been performed yet ? I say ? 

Dar. None as yei, Mr. Travers, but we are in imminent danger of 
it. But who is this young woman — I beg your pardon — youna: lady, I 
should have said— that you have with you ? 

Kek. No marriages as yet ? Then I take precedence over you all ! 
This ? Oh, this i^my wife I I met her on the road between here and 
your farm, Mr. Farber — asked her to marry me — obtained her con- 
sent—hunted up a party to perform the ceremony — had it done— and 
behold ! she is transformed in the short space of one moment, from a 
blushlns: sylvan maid, to part and parcel of Mr. Hervey Travers! I 
was on the key vivie, you know, and so was pater ! 

Enter Bolter hastily, c. 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what ! 

Her. [c] [Waiving him back.] Too late, pater! too late! 
[Looking at his watch.] Just about twenty minutes too late. 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what! 

Her. Your little Hervey is no more ! Cease to .' wha-wha-what ' 
for ' wha-wha-what ' is in vain ! 

Bolt. Wha-wha-what! 

Her. Pater, allow me to present to yon my adorable— [To Katie] 
— I say, what's your name ? 

Katie. [In a low voice.] Katie. 

Her. What? I say ? Speak louder ! 

Katie. [Louder.] Katie! 

Her. Katie ? My adorable Katie, pater— my first and only wife 

my better one-third! I say, pater, Katie and your little Hervey are 
congealed—coagulated— consolidated— concentrated, or to put it so 
as your feeble intellect may comprehend it,— we are man and wife-^ 
isyoman and liijsband ! Wh^t do ^o^ tUinlj: of th^t ? Issxyf 



4S WEAK MAN AND WEAK WOMAN. 

Bolt. Think of it ! Think of it ! 1 think you are a d— d scoun- 
drel, and she's another ! 

Heb. [To Katie.] Katie, don't let him call you that ! I'd knock 
him down, if he wasn't my father ! But he's not your father, so don't 
let that interfere with you. 

Bolt. Hervey Travers ! f rorfl this moment you are no longer a son 
of mine! 

Her. Oh ! yes I am ! You can't get out of that ! You should have 
thought of that before you married my mother. But it's too late now 
— quite too late^et me see — about twenty-five years too late — which 
reduced to seconds would be about — [pauses] —well, you can fiii;ure it 
out yourself. Oh ! yes, I am your son ! 

Dak. [Crossing to Bolter.] Mr. Travers, if I might be permitted 
to say a word, I would advise you to make ihe best of it. You see it 
was your son's destiny to get married, and why battle against destiny ? 

Bolt. You thhik so? [Pauses.] Well, perhaps, it was. One 
thing is certain— it is too late for me to prevent it. [To Hervey.] 
Hervey, I recall what I said— you are my son ! I forgive you, but you 
have treated your father shamefully. Hervey, my blessing ! 

Far. [To Bolter.] If the worcJs of a simple old man like me are 
of any weight, I would say to you, sir, you have done well in giving 
your son your blessing. We all do wrong, sir ! None of us are per- 
fect. The young people wUl mate like the birds Jn the air. They 
cannot help loving each other. It is as easy to love as it is— to do 
wrong. Remember, sir, man is weak— and so is woman! 

Ike. Dabrell. Farber. Bolter. Katie. 

Betty. r. c. c. • l. c. Hervey. 

Elizabeth. Mrs. Darbell. 

Jui'iA. Alice. 

Ehrton. Hugh. 

R L 



CURTAIN. 




017 401 679 3 ^ 



